The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) arranged a press conference in Dhaka on 4th August 2025 on “One Year of the Interim Government of Bangladesh: Despite Unprecedented Prospects for State Reform, the Path to Achievement Remains Fraught with Challenges”. The press conference, which was moderated by TIB Outreach and Communication Director Mohammad Tauhidul Islam and where a report (prepared based on research and the aftermath verification of information from several sources including the concerned government authorities) was presented by TIB Senior Research Fellows Shahzada M. Akram and Md. Julkarnayeen, focused on various initiatives of the interim government and their flaws and put an emphasis on addressing the flaws to achieve the expected outcomes.
As the presentation of the report indicates, the interim government has undertaken several initiatives since assuming the office, including the withdrawal of nearly all harassment cases filed across the country during the student-popular uprising, the initiation of judicial proceedings against those involved in the killings during the July uprising, signing the International Convention against Enforced Disappearances, formation of 11 reform commissions, establishment of a National Consensus Commission, enactment of 50 laws, promulgation of the July Martyrs and Fighters Welfare and Rehabilitation Ordinance 2025, reinstatement of the Supreme Judicial Council, reconstitution of the Election Commission in accordance with existing laws, finalization of the draft Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance 2025, and the formation of various committees and task forces as well as the preparation of reports aiming at reforming the financial sector.
But there were various challenges and flaws. The government’s decision-making has often been ad hoc, with noticeable gaps in firmness and strategic planning in administrative governance. A lack of coordination among responsible officials led, in some cases, to the indecision or reversal of decisions once made. Though there were efforts to depoliticize the administration through removing high-ranking officials affiliated with the outgoing political party, this has been replaced by politicization under another party alignment, effectively sustaining the same trend. Instability within state institutions, especially in the police and civil administration, efforts to form new political circles, and frequent reshuffling of personnel have also contributed to institutional inefficiency. A lack of effective government control and internal resistance has hindered institutional reform efforts.
The presentation of the report also highlights that the prioritization of individual agendas has led to divisions and conflicts among stakeholders involved in the uprising, casting uncertainty over the achievement of the aspirations for crucial state reform. There has been clear rift regarding fundamental reforms and a greater emphasis on gaining power through elections rather than on structural transformation. There has also been a lack of fundamental and desirable shift in political culture—partisanship, extortion, land grabbing, and the pursuit of dominance remain prevalent in politics. Freedom of information and freedom of expression continue to face significant challenges, despite improvements. Over the past year, the growth and influence of religion-based politics have also become starkly visible and problematic.
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The presentation of the report in the press conference further indicates that there is no concrete evidence of progress in implementing the urgent recommendations made by reform commissions. The process of implementation has been entangled in bureaucratic complexities, and a tendency to selectively adopt ‘pick and choose’ recommendations has become apparent in many cases. The interim government’s failure to formulate and publicly share a clear and well-planned strategy or roadmap regarding its mandated responsibilities—namely, justice, state reform, and elections—has led to a recurring crisis of confidence among various stakeholders.
Indicating the importance of state reform, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, who was present in the press conference among others, said, “Despite beginning with immense potential, the journey of state reform has seen significant shortcomings, stagnation, and even regression in reflecting the core spirit of the anti-discrimination movement…No fundamental transformation has been observed in the political and bureaucratic culture of Bangladesh…The immediate implementation of the reform commissions’ recommendations remains hostage to internal bureaucratic resistance.” He further said that those who remained outside the circles of administrative and political authority during the authoritarian rule are now engaging in the ‘now-it’s-our-turn’ culture, perpetuating the very trend of politicization they sought to replace and this pattern is visible from the Secretariat to the grassroots level.
Putting emphasis on several other issues, the TIB Executive Director added, “… The consensus regarding reserved seats for women in Parliament has failed to ensure effective representation…There is no discourse on reforming the intelligence agencies…Reformation of Political parties is also being overlooked which is an initiative that must be undertaken by the political parties themselves.” Highlighting the importance and flaws in the rule of law, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman further says that the law and order situation has emerged as the weakest aspect of the interim government and unrest within the police and administrative institutions, indiscriminate retaliatory cases under the guise of justice, arbitrary detentions, and violence within court premises are undermining the process of ensuring justice for actual offenders.
The fall of the authoritarian regime undoubtedly provided an unprecedented scope of state reform in Bangladesh. It is imperative to address various challenges and concerns to bring the desired outcomes based on the July mass uprising and its spirit. Highlighting the responsibility of the interim government and the importance of state reform, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman says that if we fail to utilize this extraordinary opportunity to achieve the expected level of positive change, all of us will remain accountable.
Transparency International Bangladesh
MIDAS Center, Dhaka
Bangladesh
Email:advocacy@ti-bangladesh.org
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