CITIZENS of Bangladesh have persevered in their efforts to establish a working democracy. The anti-military movement of 1990 had resulted in a commitment among all political forces to restore parliamentary democracy and strengthen democratic institutions – the rule of law, an independent judiciary, and a media committed fearlessly to truth and to give voice to the people. These persistent aspirations for a transparent, responsive and accountable mode of governance have once again been powerfully reaffirmed in the concerted efforts for political and economic reforms between 2006 and 2008.

Since the political process had degenerated and become captive in the hands of black money and armed musclemen, a universally shared goal was to regenerate healthy politics so as to rescue the overwhelming majority who were suffering as virtual hostages and felt powerless under a system of governance which had become authoritarian. A highly centralized structure of government and a confrontational political culture had over the years resulted in the alienation of not only the opposition but also the people in general from participation in governance. People expected transparency, accountability and the rule of law to be an integral part of the democratic political system. The elections held in December 2008 promised to bring about change.

It is nine months since a government elected by an overwhelming majority has been in power. People have been awaiting the adoption of politics and strategies and the strengthening of institutions needed to deliver good governance and usher in the changes promised by the election manifesto.

They expect to see both a change in the mindset of those in power and a strengthening of democratic institutions so that they can begin to function effectively. In particular, they look forward to a vibrant Parliament that can play a dynamic role in regenerating democracy. They expect lively debates on policies – on the national economy, on industry, agriculture and education, health, economy, environment and other vital national sectors. They expect that parliamentary committees will ensure that the executive branch and the administration remain responsive to public needs and national priorities. Unfortunately, the opposition has yet to present itself in Parliament and play a positive role. It would indeed be a giant step forward if the opposition, in addition to pointing out deficiencies in official policies or actions of the government, would itself put forward well thought out alternatives.

 

Voters had wished to put the past behind them wherein, under a hierarchical governance system, public servants were reduced to being merely party functionaries, a tendency which persists. There was a legitimate expectation that appointment, and promotion in the public service would be on the basis of merit and competence, through a transparent process, and not arbitrarily on the basis of party loyalty. The administration, manned by public servants, was expected to discharge its functions strictly in accordance with law and in the public interest and not be made to suffer from harassment and persecution on partisan considerations.

Similarly, it was hoped that citizens would not be kept in the dark on the plea of official secrecy, and that human rights guarantees would be effectively enforced. The enactment of the Right to Information Act was welcomed as it would prevent a veil of secrecy being placed over official decisions. The newly established Human Rights Commission, however, still needs to be made fully operational with the resources and capacity to fulfil its mandate. Resources must be committed to strengthen the independence of judiciary and to fully implement its separation as mandated by the constitution in order for it to play its role as the guardian of citizens’ rights and the constitution.

The government should welcome citizens’ participation by consultation through parliamentary committees and advisory groups, involving stakeholders and others who can contribute to improving the quality of governance. Periodic progress reports need to be published on actions taken toward fulfilling the pledges made to the people.

The most critical sphere in which such progress reports must be made transparent relates to the awarding of major projects in sectors such as power, telecommunication, oil and gas, and major infrastructure. Procurement guidelines must not exist only on paper but must be respected and effectively implemented by all those who are to apply them. The absence of transparency in recent decisions regarding petroleum exploration contracts has led to public controversy, which could have been avoided.

 

The educational sector has rightly been accorded the highest priority to ensure meaningful change and overall progress. The educational system must be rescued from being an arena of unhealthy power politics. It is a legitimate expectation of the people that educational institutions remain terror-free and the armed cadres which so far have enjoyed a free run are demobilized and campuses made free from their predatory activities. This is still awaited. This particular malaise has undermined the integrity and effectiveness of the major public universities and important educational institutions. Universities must regain their reputation of excellence in academic standards. Not only must the time targets for making education available to all be met but the quality of education must also be raised across the system.

A fundamental pillar of democracy is the rule of law and access to justice. The key element, which demands urgent attention at every level of governance, is the constitutional mandate of equality before the law and equal protection of the law. No one can be above the law, far less claim or enjoy impunity. There must be no party political interference in the impartial and effective implementation of the law. The nightmares of the past when powerful ‘godfathers’ could interfere with the police in major investigations, giving impunity to those charged with war crimes, murder and rape, major corruption and extortion at every level must be buried. It is time that people are rescued from continued persecution and extortion by organized groups and the rule of law is restored.

A systemic change must be brought about in relation to the police. The draft of a new Police Act has been put on the table. The nineteenth century Police Act and the mindset on which it was based needs to be replaced by a system where police is seen as the protector of the rights of citizens and the community where they are posted. The feudal order, where the powerful could terrorize and practice extortion on a scale that reduced ordinary citizens to a virtual serfdom must become history. It cannot be allowed to continue in the twenty-first century.

 

Given the terrible eruption of brutal violence in the BDR headquarters in February 2009, urgent action is needed against those responsible through effective investigation and expeditious trial. Not only is this required by the dictates of justice, but is also imperative in the interest of national security. It must, therefore, be given the highest priority. It is part of the basic structure of our Constitution that law regulates coercive use of armed force, vested in the defence services. There is thus no room for any private militias and/or armed cadres. The internal security forces and the police are required to be effectively regulated by law. It is imperative that the professionalism and neutrality of the defence services, entrusted with national security, is not interfered with for any party political considerations. Appointment, promotion and advancement should be strictly on the basis of merit, maintaining the highest professional standards. The best international practice should be incorporated in their manuals, if this has not already been done, since our defence services are now internationally respected for their significant role in the United Nations Peace Keeping Forces.

 

There is an urgent need for the state-owned electronic media, radio and television, to become an autonomous disseminator of information. People do not want to see the state-owned media became a government public relations agency, a relic of the past. The voice of people must be heard over BTV and state-owned radio. Instituting an Independent Broadcasting Trust, led by trustees who enjoy public confidence and respect, could significantly contribute to the process of change. The muted voices of the silent majority could then be heard throughout the country so that they can reach their public representatives and, in turn, expect them respond to their needs and priorities.

The pledges made in the Constitution need to be strongly reaffirmed in the goals set by the government, because it has been given a generous mandate. Since a great deal of time has already been lost, the time-worn alibi for delay and inaction, namely ‘you can’t have change overnight’ should, therefore, not be invoked. If the strategic goals set for 2021 are to succeed, meaningful change has to be made in our institutions and our political behaviour. The magnitude of the challenge that lies ahead has been highlighted in a recent DFID study, thus:

‘It is predicted that the population (of Bangladesh) by 2030 will be nearly 200 million with 40% under the age of 15. An additional 6-8% of Bangladesh will be permanently under water; flood-prone areas will increase (from 25% to 10% of the country by 2050). Three-quarters of the Himalayan glaciers may have vanished with disastrous consequences for those dependent on the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers. Environmental refugees from rural areas will be flocking to the cities where flood defences will be concentrated and over 80 million people will live in urban slums; Dhaka will be one of the world’s largest cities with 30 million people. In rural areas, this urban migration could mean that the countryside is abandoned to the elderly, women-headed households and the very poorest of the poor. Arsenic could remain a massive health threat, reducing crop productivity and contributing to food shortages.’

 

We need to announce time-targeted goals, including the details of their phase-wise implementation. While there are indeed goals that will require 5, 10, or 15 years (the announced 2021 plan itself recognizes that it will be implemented in successive stages), the process must commence now. The past has to be put behind us: the insensitivity, the inertia, the failure to take timely decisions, the lack of coordination as powerful groups fought over the spoils, while people suffered and the nation’s progress was impeded. The need to work together applies to all without exception. The barriers to change have been identified; they need to be overcome. These are the dysfunctional institutions, a run-down educational system and a social environment afflicted by violence and terrorism and major deficiencies in infrastructure.