Not all reform commission recommendations are for immediate implementation: Ali Riaz

Professor Ali Riaz, Vice-Chair of National Consensus Commission, has said the recommendations made by the reform commissions are not solely meant to be implemented during the tenure of the interim government.

“Some issues are being implemented by the current government, some will be acted upon through consensus with political parties, and the remaining recommendations are intended to serve as guidelines for future governments,” he stated.

“The commissions were not formed with the sole aim of implementing all reforms during this government’s term.”

He made these remarks in response to a journalist’s question following his keynote speech on Sunday (June 22) at the “First Political Science Conference” held at the Muzaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium of the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Dhaka. The two-day event is themed "The State Reforms and Election Discourse in Transitional Democracies: From Mass Uprising to Election and State Building."

The inaugural and keynote sessions of the conference were chaired by the organizing committee’s convener, Professor Kazi Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman.

In his keynote address, Professor Riaz said that autocrats maintain stability in governance by suppressing dissent and opposition parties. However, after an uprising, when differing views begin to emerge, it often leads to instability — a phenomenon referred to as “autocratic nostalgia.” During such transitions, it becomes particularly difficult to control two institutions — the judiciary and the military-security forces. Prolonged autocratic rule weakens these institutions and sometimes gives rise to fears of counter-revolution.

He further stated that supporters of former regimes often try to intentionally hinder democratic transitions by spreading misinformation and creating unrest. If the new government fails to present the truth and demonstrate goodwill, it poses a threat to democracy. Drawing on international experience, he noted that while 40% of countries have succeeded in democratic transitions, 60% have failed.

In his inaugural address, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan said, “Following the July student-people uprising, the country is going through a critical transitional phase. To strengthen democracy, we must move forward with unity, setting aside political and social divisions. This conference will play a vital role in building mutual understanding and reinforcing networks.”

Speaking as a distinguished guest, Professor Dil Rowshan Zinnat Ara Nazneen, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Open University, said, “Transitional phases of the state present opportunities to build strong and transparent institutions. If these opportunities are seized, the future can be bright.”

Professor A S M Amanullah, Vice Chancellor of National University, and Professor Nasima Khatun, Chair of the Department of Political Science at Dhaka University, also spoke at the event.

Conference convener Professor Kazi Mohammad Mahbubur Rahman noted that political scientists, scholars, and students from various universities in Bangladesh are presenting their research-based papers at the conference. “These will help chart a path out of the ongoing crisis surrounding state reform and elections,” he said.

On the first day, ten sessions were held, with participation from numerous scholars. Notable figures who served as speakers or session chairs included Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Sara Hossain, Constitutional Reform Commission member Barrister M. Moin Alam Firozi, and Professor Md. Shafiqul Islam, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Kishoreganj University, along with faculty members from various universities across the country.