Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has raised serious alarms over the Yunus-led interim government’s handling of much-needed reforms, accusing it of surrendering to bureaucratic “anti-reform forces” and allowing entrenched interests to derail transparency and institutional changes.
In a damning review released on January 12, TIB warned that this “reform-aversion” risks setting a negative precedent for future administrations, potentially undermining Bangladesh’s democratic transition and stalling progress on corruption, human rights, and governance.
The observations, presented at a press conference in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi by TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, analysed ordinances enacted under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ administration. While acknowledging initial positive stepsโlike forming reform commissions for elections, police, anti-corruption, and human rights, as well as calling for UN probes into enforced disappearancesโTIB concluded that the government has largely failed to deliver on its promises due to bureaucratic dominance.
Political observers say TIB’s findings underscore growing unease over whether the Yunus-led government can fulfil its mandate for genuine change or if entrenched systems will continue to hinder progress. Rights advocates and analysts fear this could exacerbate polarisation and delay accountability, calling for urgent international oversight to ensure reforms align with democratic principles.
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“The interim government has effectively surrendered to the bureaucracy,” Dr. Iftekhar stated. “In the name of reforms, it has bowed to dark forces within the bureaucracy, leading to ordinances that prioritise unchecked power over national interest. This not only betrays the spirit of the July uprising but also creates a dangerous legacy where anti-reform elements prevail.”
TIB’s review highlighted specific shortcomings:
– Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Reform: An independent selection and review committee was deliberately omitted, allowing bureaucratic influence to persist in appointments.
– Police Commission Ordinance: Lacking terms like “independent and neutral,” it includes secretaries in the selection committee, potentially turning the commission into a tool for administrative abuse rather than public welfare.
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– National Human Rights Commission Ordinance: Last-minute inclusion of the cabinet secretary undermines autonomy, effectively placing it under governmental control.
– Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection Ordinances: While some positive aspects exist, they grant state agencies unfettered access to citizens’ personal data without judicial safeguards, risking a “surveillance-based governance” system.
– Stagnation in Key Sectors: No visible progress on reforms for media, health, women, labour, education, or agriculture, indicating a lack of preparation.
Dr. Iftekhar emphasised that decisions on ordinances are often dictated by powerful bureaucratic factions rather than the advisory council. “Advisers may sign papers, but the real decisionsโwhat to include or excludeโare made by influential bureaucrats, blending group interests with political agendas,” he said. He criticised the opaque process: ordinances were passed without meaningful stakeholder consultation, with some draft feedback ignored or met with smears against critics.
TIB expressed deep concern that this pattern institutionalises “bureaucratic hegemony,” eroding public trust and the interim regime’s credibility. “The government has failed to exemplify transparency or proactive information disclosure in lawmaking and public-interest decisions,” the report noted, urging immediate corrective measures to salvage the reform agenda.
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