Democracy requires more than legal amendments: Experts

Merely amending laws and the constitution is not enough to restore democracy in Bangladesh, experts said at a seminar in Dhaka today (31 May).

Instead, new institutions must be created where old ones have failed to protect public interest, they said at the event, titled "Bangladesh's Democratic Transition and Institutional Decay: What Lies Ahead?", held at the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB).

Presenting the keynote paper, Mushtaq H Khan, economics professor at SOAS University of London, said a balanced distribution of power is essential for true democratic restoration.

He said it is vital to build inclusive structures involving student movements, young entrepreneurs, small businesses and civil society groups to drive policy changes and ensure their implementation.

Speakers at the event also highlighted how prolonged political instability, repressive governance and institutional decay have weakened the country's democratic framework. 

They said these weaknesses have eroded accountability, judicial independence and administrative neutrality.

PIB Director General Faruq Wasif said necessary reforms must be implemented to prevent further bloodshed and realise a new political settlement.

Shireen Parveen Haque, a rights activist and head of the Women's Reform Commission, called for prioritising the rights of women and grassroots communities in post-uprising Bangladesh. 

She said, "We want a humane state that cares for everyone."

Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuad, secretary general of Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), expressed frustration that reform efforts are being thwarted at every level.

Organised by the Dhaka Institute of Research and Analytics (DAIRA), the discussion was moderated by Asif Mohammad Shahan, professor at the University of Dhaka's Development Studies department. Mohammad Asaduzzaman, a policy analyst, delivered the concluding remarks on behalf of DAIRA.

Other participants included BRAC University's Tanvir Sobhan, National Citizen Party's Joint Convenor Ehtesham Haque, coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement Sadab Mubtasim Prantik and student representative from the Anti-Corruption Reform Committee Munim Mubasshir.