Ensure citizen rights by drafting a national charter

The anti-discrimination student movement was not just about job quota deprivation; these students were also denied many other rights. On campus, they were severely violated by ruling party-affiliated student groups through dormitory culture, infringing on their basic human rights. Women especially faced egregious human rights violations through body shaming, harassment, humiliation, torture, and rape. These cumulative frustrations over the denial of civil rights and freedom of speech eventually erupted into the anti-discrimination movement. Consequently, the peaceful student-led quota reform movement escalated into nationwide violence. This eventually led to a mass uprising against the government, demanding its fall. The culmination of this uprising was the siege of Ganabhaban, leading to the fall of Sheikh Hasina's authoritarian government. Following this, the military took control, effectively leaving the country without a government. The stalemate was resolved by the swearing-in of advisors to an interim government.

Eleven days ago, Dr. Muhammad Yunus took the helm of an interim government. From the outset, discussions about reforming the state structure have emerged among protesting students and citizens alike. The ongoing protests have shed light on longstanding irregularities, corruption, and mismanagement within state and autonomous institutions. Many protests are demanding the resignation of heads of these institutions, while others are voluntarily stepping down from their positions. As a result, the interim government will face significant challenges in reforming the state and administration. The focus must be on good governance, accountability, justice, human dignity, and human rights. This involves constitutional and legal matters, making state reform challenging but not impossible.

It's essential to remember that during Sheikh Hasina's regime, there was no true rule of law. Law enforcement agencies had essentially become party loyalists, leaving citizens without any security for their lives and property. In short, the country was under one-person rule. Over the past years, the government appointed its loyalists to various positions, creating a system of sycophancy that ultimately collapsed the entire administrative system. Today, none of those loyalists can be found.

I believe the interim government's first task should be to restructure the law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of citizens' lives and property and to restore trust and civil rights. Attention must also be given to reorganizing the country's administration. The previous administration became extremely politicized and corrupt, which we have already witnessed.

Those who, under the previous government's patronage, abused power to accumulate massive wealth through corruption and smuggled vast amounts of money abroad must be brought to justice. Their amassed wealth—houses, cars, flats, plots, land, businesses, shares, and enormous bank accounts—must be investigated. Such individuals still have influence throughout the administration, and the new government must identify and hold them accountable under the law.

Administrative reform is also necessary. As the administration became deeply politicized and corrupt, instances of misuse of power became apparent, as in the case of NBR (National Board of Revenue) officer Motiur Rahman, whose corruption and misuse of power led to the accumulation of vast wealth. Investigating this will reveal many more like Motiur Rahman within the administration. Additionally, the administration has often become anti-people. Thus, it needs to be restructured to build an effective system.

Addressing the economic crisis should also be a priority for the interim government. The country has been suffering from a dollar crisis for several years, and foreign reserves are depleting. Particularly last month, expatriates reduced remittance inflows in solidarity with the student movement. Restoring their confidence and encouraging them to send remittances through banking channels could help resolve the dollar and reserve crisis.

Perhaps the most critical issue is the need to amend the constitution according to the present needs. Many amendments could be initiated by the interim government, though they might not be able to implement them. They cannot amend the constitution, as it requires parliamentary approval. However, what the interim government can do is engage in dialogue with political parties, negotiating and reaching agreements on these long-term reforms. These agreements, which we call a national charter, should be signed by all political parties, regardless of their differences. The future elected government, following a free, fair, and impartial election, must be bound to implement these agreements. This, I believe, would pave the way to realizing the high public expectations we face.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus is widely recognized as a respectable figure with a positive international reputation. We hope that under his leadership, the country will have the opportunity to transition from the irregularities, corruption, and mismanagement of Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule to a democratic, secular, progressive, and livable state.

Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar is secretary of SHUJAN: Citizens for Good Governance.