Organizer: International Institute of Global Studies (IIGS)

Venue & Date: Rainforest Media House, Gulshan | 30 June 2025

 

🔹 Introduction

On 30 June 2025, the International Institute of Global Studies (IIGS) organized a high-level Chatham House-format roundtable titled “On the Road to Democracy: Future Challenges and the Way Forward.” Held at Rainforest Media House in Dhaka, the event brought together prominent voices from academia, diplomacy, security, civil society, and political parties to deliberate on the evolving democratic landscape of Bangladesh. As a non-partisan, nonprofit think tank committed to strategic and policy-oriented research, IIGS initiated this timely dialogue to generate actionable insights and policy recommendations.

 

🔹 Chaired and Attended by Distinguished Participants

The session was chaired by Col. (Retd.) Dr. Arifur Rahman, Chairman of IIGS, with opening remarks delivered by AKM Sayedad Hossain, Executive Director. Distinguished speakers and guests included:

               •          Professor Dr. Tarikul Islam, Dept. of Government & Politics, Jahangirnagar University.

               •             Ambassador Mahfuzur Rahman, Vice Chairman, IIGS.

               •             Sakhawat Khan, Former Country Director, Amnesty International (South Sudan).

               •             Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Md. Naeem Ashfaq Chowdhury.

               •             Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Hasan Md. Shamsuddin.

               •             Dr. Riaz, IT Specialist (USA).

               •             Shamim Ahmed, Research Secretary, BNP.

               •             AKM Rafiqul Nabi, Editor, Weekly Sonar Bangla; Shura Member, Jamaat-e-Islami.

               •             Md. Nazmul Hasan, Director, IIGS.

 

 

🔹 Key Themes of the Discussion

 

✅ Institutional Challenges to Democracy

Speakers emphasized the urgent need to strengthen democratic institutions, ensure an independent Election Commission, foster effective opposition, and uphold press freedom.

 

✅ Pre- and Post-Election Priorities

Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Naeem Ashfaq proposed increasing police capacity to reduce reliance on the military. He also called for post-election security reforms and modernization of the armed forces.

 

✅ Internal Security & Regional Realities

Sakhawat Khan flagged cross-border security threats, notably the Rohingya crisis and RAW’s involvement. He called for strategic dialogue on the Arakan Army issue.

 

✅ Electoral Framework & Political Reform

Jamaat leader Rafiqul Nabi advocated proportional representation and administrative restructuring to create a level playing field.

 

✅ Elections & Governance

BNP representatives criticized the failure of the interim government, citing governance issues such as inflation and insecurity, and demanded urgent elections.

 

✅ Democratic Values & Institutional Reform

Professor Tarikul Islam proposed a “National Democratic Accord,” urging parties to commit to electoral norms, strengthen the Election Commission, reform the Digital Security Act, and build anti-corruption institutions.

 

✅ Unity and Patriotism

Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Shamsuddin argued that true democracy must rest not only on voting but on national unity, sovereignty, and patriotic commitment.

 

✅ Role of the Military in Interim Governance

Chairman Dr. Arifur Rahman suggested that temporary military oversight could support national security without compromising democratic principles.

 

✅ Multi-Level Political Reform

Director Md. Nazmul Hasan emphasized reforms at structural, ideological, institutional, and strategic levels—advocating value-driven leadership selection and internal party democratization.

 

 

🔹 Summary & Key Recommendations

The roundtable yielded several consensus-based recommendations:

               1.           Ensure transparent, inclusive, and acceptable elections

               2.           Reform the electoral process and enhance Election Commission independence

               3.           Strengthen police professionalism and administrative capacity

               4.           Protect press freedom and freedom of expression

               5.           Restructure political parties through value-based leadership and ideological clarity

               6.           Promote national unity, patriotism, and sovereignty above partisanship

               7.           Design an integrated, responsive national security strategy

               8.          Implement a “National Democratic Accord” for pre-commitment to peaceful, fair elections.

 

 

🔹 Concluding Insights

The discussion reaffirmed that democracy in Bangladesh is not merely a matter of electoral procedure—it is a continuous societal, institutional, and cultural evolution. In the words of Director Md. Nazmul Hasan, political reform must begin within political parties themselves. He outlined four reform dimensions:

               •             Structural Reform: Enhance transparency in leadership selection and internal decision-making

               •             Ideological Reform: Reassess party values aligned with equality, pluralism, and human rights

               •             Institutional Reform: Advance judicial independence, constitutional reforms, and local governance

               •             Strategic Reform: Prefer gradual change over rapid upheaval to gain public support

 

Additionally, reforms must extend to police modernization, electoral integrity, civic education, and responsible student politics.

 

Brig. Gen. (Retd.) Shamsuddin echoed that without national unity and patriotism, elections alone cannot uphold democracy. He highlighted the dangers of political fragmentation and urged all parties to prioritize national interest over partisan gain. Historical evidence, such as the 1975 military coup, reflects the perils of divisive politics.

 

Ambassador Mahfuzur Rahman called for a credible, inclusive election that enjoys both domestic and international legitimacy, laying the foundation for durable reform. He emphasized the necessity of elected governments to lead reforms with legitimacy, capacity, and popular trust.

 

 

🔹 Academic Reflections: Prof. Dr. Tarikul Islam

 

In a powerful keynote, Professor Dr. Tarikul Islam stated:

“Bangladesh stands at a democratic crossroads. The interim government, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, must ensure a participatory, peaceful, and credible transition through elections.”

 

He stressed that democracy is not a one-day event—it demands the rule of law, institutional independence, balanced power, and civil liberties. He reiterated the need to bridge the gap between political theory and reality.

 

Prof. Islam proposed a “National Democratic Accord”, urging all parties to commit—before elections—to accept outcomes, ensure opposition rights in Parliament, avoid violence, and protect anti-corruption agencies.

 

He also called for international engagement based on principles, not favoritism—particularly in combating digital misinformation, AI-generated disinformation, and cyber threats.

 

“Democracy is not a destination—it’s a process that depends on mutual tolerance, rule of law, and shared values.”

 

 

🏛 Conclusion

This landmark Chatham House discussion has brought forward a multidimensional, inclusive, and practical roadmap to reinforce democracy in Bangladesh. With expert insights, cross-party engagement, and actionable reform proposals, it presents a hopeful trajectory. The International Institute of Global Studies (IIGS) reaffirms its commitment to facilitating informed debate and policy innovation for a democratic, secure, and united Bangladesh.

 

 

Published by:

International Institute of Global Studies (IIGS)

📍 Gulshan, Dhaka

🌐 www.iigsbd.org

📅 Uploaded: July 2025