Bangladesh to remove ‘fascist’ elements from constitution – Firstpost

Bangladesh’s Constitutional Reform Commission, recently appointed in the wake of the student revolution that ousted Sheikh Hasina, on Sunday vowed to root out “fascism” to protect democracy.

The commission is due to submit its recommendations to the interim government by December 31 – part of sweeping changes promised by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, who was appointed the country’s “chief adviser” after the August uprising.

Reform Commission Chairman Ali Riaz, who is also a political science professor at the University of Illinois, said the goal was to develop a constitution that “reflects the aspirations” of Bangladeshis.

“Under the current constitution, the prime minister has enormous power and this centralization of power opens the way for fascism,” Riaz said, speaking to reporters for the first time since the caretaker government formed the commission in early October.

“The lack of balance of power is the source of fascism,” he added.

Other members include senior lawyers, Dhaka University law professors, human rights activists and a student leader – among those who led protests against Hasina.

The process will involve rounds of discussions with constitutional experts, lawyers and civil society representatives, as well as between the government and political parties.

“The interim government will discuss the proposals with all political parties and convey their recommendations to the commission,” he said.

“The final version will be adopted after a series of discussions.”

Hasina’s 15-year rule saw widespread human rights abuses, including mass detentions and extrajudicial killings of her political opponents.

Her government has also been accused of politicizing the courts and civil service, and staging lopsided elections to remove democratic checks on its power.

Yunus has previously said he inherited a “totally broken” system of governance that needs a comprehensive overhaul to prevent a future return to autocracy.