Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman on Sunday said politicians and bureaucrats have failed to draw lessons from the July 2024 mass uprising.

“Although the interim government formed several task forces, including six major commissions, with the aim of reforms, the key reforms could not be implemented due to bureaucrats. The first instance of mob violence in Bangladesh after July was created by bureaucrats at the Secretariat — within a week of the previous government’s fall, a mob situation emerged at the Secretariat at their behest. They are controlling everything,” he said.

Iftekharuzzaman was speaking at an event organised by the Citizen’s Platform at city’s Agargaon.

Iftekharuzzaman, who also heads the Anti-Corruption Reforms Commission, said the government has considered only three of the 47 recommendations submitted by him and the commission, while the fate of the remaining proposals remains unknown.

“We proposed publishing the Anti-Corruption Commission’s report every six months, which would have enhanced transparency and accountability. But under pressure from bureaucrats, this proposal was not accepted. Most proposals capable of bringing reforms were dropped in this manner,” he said.

Speaking on the Human Rights Commission ordinance, he said the government moved in the opposite direction of the recommendations made by the commission, adding that the ordinance has now become hostage to bureaucratic control.

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“Bangladesh was on the verge of getting a near-international-standard human rights law. But the entire process was ruined solely due to the mindset of bureaucrats,” he said.

Alleging that the interim government resorted to secrecy over publishing the draft ordinance, Iftekharuzzaman said, “The government was repeatedly pressured to disclose the draft ordinance. But so far, it has not made any progress on the recommendations.”

He also expressed concern that the Police Reform Commission may never see the light of day, citing the composition of the commission with several retired police officials and bureaucrats as a major reason.

“I am an optimistic person. But it is not possible for us to besiege the Secretariat even if we want to. July was a major opportunity for positive change — but we failed to utilise it,” he added.