Ali Riaz calls for structural reforms to build accountable state

Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz said on Thursday that implementing structural reforms is essential to establish a transparent and accountable state, which he believes will pave the way for a prosperous future for the coming generations in Bangladesh.

“If we can build an accountable state through structural transformation, future generations will consider Bangladesh an ideal place,” he said while presiding over a dialogue with Bhashani Onushari Parishad at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad.

A 15-member delegation of Bhashani Onushari Parishad, led by its chairman Sheikh Rafiqul Islam Babul, joined the talks arranged by the National Consensus Commission.

Prof Riaz said the country’s transformation can begin by forging unity similar to the past resistance against fascism. “We fought together against fascism. By forging similar unity, we can initiate the process of change in Bangladesh.”

He said people have aspired to an accountable state for the last 53 years.

Recalling the mass uprising in July, he said, “Millions of people took to the streets and many sacrificed their lives. That was a clear message to us—that in the future, no citizen or youth of Bangladesh should have to give their life on the streets just to establish their rights.”

He expressed hope that political parties and forces would reach a consensus. The National Consensus Commission is playing the role of a catalyst. “Political parties and people must unite in this cause. If they do, it will be possible for us to achieve it.”

The National Consensus Commission Vice Chairman said every political party and force fighting against fascism over the last 16 years has had one goal—to establish a democratic Bangladesh.

The goal is to ensure that no one falls victim to enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killings, to establish an independent judiciary to protect citizens' rights, and to build an accountable state where no prime minister or person is above the law or centralises power.

“We are moving forward with that objective in mind,” he added.

Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were also present at the discussion, which was moderated by the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant, Monir Haider.