Sudden election will put goal of mass upsurge at risk: TIB

Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today stated that if a sudden election is held without creating a legal and institutional framework, the core spirit and objectives of the student-public movement will remain at risk.

TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said this at a press conference here today held for publishing a research report titled “New Bangladesh” Observations on the First 100 Days after the Fall of the Authoritarian Regime.”

“The student-public movement was not solely concerned with the establishment of a new government; it sought to establish a ‘New Bangladesh’ through state reform and new political arrangements”, he said.

“The TIB acknowledges the interim government’s timely and significant actions that align with the vision of a New Bangladesh” and persistent challenges in specific sectors,” Iftekharuzzaman said as he shared its insights regarding the 100 Days of the Interim Government since the fall of the authoritarian regime.

According to TIB ED, the interim administration must interact with stakeholders and develop a strategic roadmap for carrying out the duties that have been delegated.

The interim government has taken several important and timely actions in its 100 days in office, according to the TIB executive director, who expressed hope about the ongoing transformation.
 
Notable actions include initiating the trial process for the arbitrary killings and human rights violations committed by the authoritarian government, efforts to provide compensation and medical care to those injured in the movement and repealing the Cyber Security Act, he said.

Additionally, reform commissions have been formed to address key sectors of state reform, he said, adding, “Visible changes have begun in the financial sector, and steps have been taken to convert Ganabhaban into a museum to honor the martyrs of the anti-discrimination movement”.

The report highlighted both prospects and challenges in building a New Bangladesh. It emphasized the potential for transformative state reforms and new political and social arrangements, with the interim government playing a key role.

Over the past 100 days, the government has initiated efforts in state reforms, law and order, financial sector improvements, and crime prosecution, said the report.

However, timely strategies and roadmaps to implement these responsibilities remain absent, it added.

The study revealed impatience among stakeholders, including political parties, in giving the government time for reforms.

No internal political party reforms have been observed, highlighting a failure to embrace the core spirit of the anti-discrimination movement, said the report.

The report also highlighted that India’s failure to accept the fall of authoritarianism has strained diplomatic relations.

While international support for the interim government is positive, concerns about the impact of loan conditions from the World Bank, ADB, and IMF, and rising debt repayments, pose additional financial challenges.

TIB senior research fellow Shahzada Akram, executive management adviser Professor Dr. Sumaiya Khair, research and policy division director Muhammad Badiuzzaman and outreach and communication director Mohammad Tauhidul Islam were present at the press conference.