The Reform Commissions of Bangladesh were formally announced on 11 September 2024 by the Chief Adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus. Based on the aspirations of the July Uprising of that year, their goal was to establish universal consensus regarding reforms required for the rebuilding of an anti-authoritarian and anti-fascist Bangladesh.
Eleven commissions were subsequently appointed, those considering reforms in public administration, anti-corruption, the judiciary, the police, the constitution, the electoral system, local government, women's affairs, labour rights, mass media, and healthcare. Additionally, a six-member task force led by the governor of Bangladesh Bank, Ahsan H. Mansur, was appointed to reform the banking sector. Four of the reform commissions submitted their reports to Muhammad Yunus on 15 January 2025.
Background
In June 2024, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh invalidated a 2018 government circular that had abolished the practice of reserving 30% of government jobs for the descendants of freedom fighters. In response, protests demanding reforms to the quota system erupted across the country, led by the group Students Against Discrimination. The government's crackdown on the movement turned violent, resulting in the deaths of 2,000 protesters. This triggered a nationwide non-cooperation movement, which ultimately led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government on 5 August 2024, ending its 15 year long reign.
Following this, at the request of student leaders, Muhammad Yunus agreed to lead an interim government, and the reform commissions were formed with the aim of establishing a new framework for governance based on an anti-authoritarian and anti-fascist political system. The head of each commission has the status of a Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
Four of the reform commissions – Election, Anti-Corruption, Police, and Constitutional – submitted their reports to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on 15 January 2025.
Details of Reform Commissions Public Administration Reform Commission This commission was formed on 3 October 2024 with a brief to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public administration by proposing necessary reforms in administrative structures and governance practices. The commission is led by Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, former chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
Anti-Corruption Reform Commission This commission was formed on 3 October 2024 with a brief to eliminate systemic corruption, to reform institutions, and to restore transparency in governance. The commission is led by Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
Judicial Reform Commission This commission was formed on 3 October 2024 with a brief to propose necessary judicial reforms aimed at making the judiciary independent, impartial, and effective. The commission is led by Shah Abu Nayeem Mominur Rahman, former Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
Electoral System Reform Commission This commission was formed on 3 October 2024 with a brief to establish a representative and effective democracy in Bangladesh by ensuring free, fair, and participatory elections through the reform of the existing electoral system. The commission is headed by Badiul Alam Majumdar under a gazette notification issued by the Cabinet Division. The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs provides secretarial support to the commission, and the Election Commission Secretariat also assists the commission.
Constitutional Reform Commission
This commission was formed in September 2024 with a brief to prepare a report on the reasons behind past constitutional failures, and to create a roadmap for holding a constituent assembly election that can draft and adopt a new, inclusive, democratic constitution that ensures the inviolability of human dignity.
Women's Affairs Reform Commission
This commission was formed in November 2024 with a brief to prepare a report on the reasoning behind women's equal rights, how to restore women's dignity and respect in society, and how to reduce discrimination against women.
Heads and members of commissions The ministry has formed eleven reform commissions to reform perceived important areas of the government. The Head of Commission will have a status of a Justice of Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
The details of the head of commission and members are as follows.
+NamePositionCareer HighlightsPublic Administration Reform CommissionAbdul Muyeed ChowdhuryHead of CommissionChairman, Biman Bangladesh Airlines Former Adviser of Latifur Rahman Caretaker GovernmentMohammad TarequeMemberFormer SecretaryMuhammad Ayub MiaMemberFormer SecretaryMuhammad Mokhlesur RahmanMember-SecretarySenior Secretary, Ministry of Public AdministrationMuhammad Hafizur RahmanMemberFormer Additional SecretaryRezwan KhayerMemberFormer Additional SecretaryA. K. A. Firoz AhmadMemberFormer Chairman, Department of Public Administration, University of DhakaSyeda Shahina SubhanMemberFormer Director of Centre for Medical EducationFiroz AhmedMemberFormer Director General of Office of the Comptroller and Auditor GeneralKhandakar Mohammad Aminur RahmanMemberFormer Member of National Board of RevenueMehedi HasanMemberStudent Representative, Jagannath UniversityAnti Corruption Commission Reform CommissionIftekharuzzamanHead of CommissionExecutive Director, Transparency International BangladeshAhmed Ataul HakimMemberFormer Comptroller and Auditor General of BangladeshMobasser MonemMemberProfessor, Department of Public Administration, University of DhakaMushtaq KhanMemberProfessor, Department of Economics, SOAS University of LondonMahdin ChowdhuryMemberBar-at-LawMahbubur RahmanMemberProfessor, Department of Law, University of DhakaFarzana SharminMemberAdvocate, Supreme Court of BangladeshMubashshir MunimMemberStudent Representative, North South UniversityJudicial Reform CommissionShah Abu Nayeem Mominur RahmanHead of CommissionFormer Justice, Appellate Division, Supreme Court of BangladeshMd. Emdadul Haque AzadMemberRetired Justice, High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh Former District and Sessions JudgeFarid Ahmed ShibliMemberJustice, High Court Division, Supreme Court of Bangladesh Former District and Sessions JudgeSayed Aminul IslamMemberFormer District and Sessions Judge Former Registrar, Supreme Court of BangladeshMasdar HossainMemberFormer District and Sessions Judge Plaintiff in the case of Masdar Hossain v. StateTanim Hossain ShawonMemberBarrister-at-law and Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of BangladeshKazi Mahfuzul Haq ShuponMemberAssociate Professor, Department of Law, University of DhakaArman HossainMemberStudent Representative, University of DhakaPolice Reform CommissionSafar Raj HossainHead of CommissionFormer SecretaryAbu Momtaz Saad Uddin AhmedMember-SecretaryAdditional Secretary, Public Security Division, Ministry of Home AffairsMuhammad IqbalMemberFormer Additional Secretary Former Director General, Department of Narcotics ControlMuhammad Harun ChowdhuryMemberFormer Divisional Commissioner and Additional SecretarySheikh Md. Sajjad AliMemberPolice Commissioner, Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Bangladesh Police Former Additional Inspector General of Bangladesh PoliceMd. Rafiqul HasanMemberJoint Secretary (Drafting), Legislative & Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary AffairsMd. Golam RosulMemberDeputy Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Chief of Special Branch, Bangladesh PoliceMohammad Ashfaqul AlamMemberDeputy Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Commandant, Police Training Centre, TangailShanaz HudaMemberProfessor, Department of Law, University of DhakaA. S. M. Nasiruddin ElanMemberHuman rights activistMohammad Jarif RahmanMemberResearcher and Student RepresentativeElectoral System Reform CommissionBadiul Alam MajumdarHead of CommissionEditor, Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik Election and Local Government ExpertTofail AhmedMemberFormer Professor and Chairman of Department of Public Administration, University of Chittagong Educator, Local Government and Election ExpertJesmin TuliMemberFormer Additional Secretary, Bangladesh Election Commission Electoral System, Voter Registration and National Identity Card ExpertMd. Abdul AlamMemberElection ExpertZahed Ur RahmanMemberPolitical Expert and Opinion MakerMir Nadia NivinMemberGovernance and Institutional Reform ExpertMuhammed Sadek FerdousMemberElectronic Voting and Blockchain Expert Sadiq Al ArmanMemberStudent Representative, East West UniversityConstitutional Reform CommissionAli RiazHead of CommissionPolitical scientist and WriterSumaiya KhairMemberProfessor, Department of Law, University of DhakaImran SiddiqueMemberBar-at-LawMuhammad Ekramul HaqueMemberProfessor, Department of Law, University of DhakaSharif BhuiyanMemberSenior Advocate, Supreme Court of BangladeshM Moin Alam FiroziMemberBar-at-LawFiroz AhmedMemberWriterMd. Mostain BillahMemberWriter and Human rights activistMahfuj AlamMemberStudent Representative (7 October 2024 - 10 November 2024)Saleh Uddin SifatMemberStudent Representative Labor Reform CommissionSyed Sultan Uddin AhmedHead of CommissionExecutive Director, Bangladesh Institute of Labour StudiesMahfuzul HaqMemberFormer Secretary of Ministry of Labour and Employment and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ChangeZakir HossainMemberProfessor, Institute of Bangladesh Studies, University of RajshahiTapan DuttaMemberPresident, Chattogram Divisional Committee, Bangladesh Trade Union CentreA. K. M. NasirMemberAdvocate and Former President of Bangladesh Labour Court Bar AssociationM Kamran T RahmanMemberFormer President of Bangladesh Employer's Federation N/AMemberStudent RepresentativeWomen's Affairs Reform CommissionShirin Parvin HaqueHead of CommissionFounding Member, NaripokkhoMaheen SultanMemberSenior Fellow, BRAC Institute of Governance and DevelopmentSara HossainMemberHonorary Executive Director, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services TrustFawzia Karim FirozeMemberSenior Advocate, Supreme Court of Bangladesh and President, Foundation for Law & DevelopmentKalpona AkterMemberPresident, Bangladesh Garment and Industrial Workers FederationHalida Hanum AkhterMemberWomen Health ExpertSumaiya IslamMemberExecutive Director, Bangladesh Nari Sramik KendraNirupa DewanMemberFormer Member, National Human Rights Commission of BangladeshFerdousi SultanaMemberFormer Senior Social Development Adviser, Asian Development BankNishita Jaman NihaMemberStudent RepresentativeLocal Government Reform CommissionTofail AhmedHead of CommissionFormer Professor and Charman of Department of Public Administration, University of Chittagong Educator, Local Government and Election ExpertFerdous Arfina OsmanMemberProfessor, Department of Public Administration, University of Dhaka