Bangladesh stands on a pile of rubble currently, as sense of justice and the values of justice have been destroyed and distorted in the judicial process over the years, said Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed.
He said that fraud instead of honesty, deprivation instead of rights, oppression instead of justice, and torture instead of shelter were made normal in the previous years.
He made these comments while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the Citizens' Conference titled "People-centric Reform for Good Governance: Aspirations of Disadvantaged Communities" at a conference hall in the capital on Sunday.
The Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh arranged the two-day event with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
Lamiya Morshed, principal coordinator for SDG affairs (senior secretary), Stefan Liller, resident representative, UNDP, Bangladesh, and Corinne Henchoz Pignani, Chargé d'affaires, Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, spoke, among others, at the inaugural session moderated by Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener, Citizen's Platform and distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
Students from different universities of the country, indigenous people, members of the transgender community, citizen representatives, farmers and representatives from different other communities participated in the citizens' conference.
Promising to build a bulwark against all kinds of injustice in the country, Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed said, "Standing on this pile of rubble, we have to start a new journey. Values have to be re-established."
He acknowledged that the task is very challenging, but the people-oriented and people-centric judiciary system would be found from today.
Regarding the establishment of civil rights, the Chief Justice said if civil rights are not protected, expectations of the backward and disadvantaged people with whom Bangladesh became independent would also be contradicted.
Assuring quality-oriented justice, he said, "We have to re-establish the values of justice and conscience in our new Bangladesh."
Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya stressed ensuring punishment for the people involved in looting public money and repatriating the money laundered abroad.
He said that any change in government does not inherently transform the people or the governance of a country. There is a profound distinction between altering the leadership and reforming the systems that run the nation.
"If a new government continues the same flawed processes, what justification remains for the sacrifices made by the people? Why did they risk their lives, endure immense hardship, and witness the plundering of their own wealth, only for the same systemic failures to persist? This disparity demands resolution," he said.
He added that the government must elevate those left behind- those who have been marginalised and excluded-and integrate them into the mainstream.
True change lies not merely in changing governments but in overhauling the governance system.
He said, "Recognising the contributions of these people- their resilience and sacrifices that have brought us to this point-is essential."
"Without acknowledging their efforts, we fail to grant them the dignity and respect they deserve equally as citizens. Let us not only recognise their role but also ensure that their voices shape the future of this nation," he said.
"We meet a critical juncture in Bangladesh history. The challenges of governance, accountability and inclusivity that we face are not new. But, recent youth-led movement and growing demands for reforms have made it clear," said Stefan Liller.
He said that this is a moment that requires reflection, dialogue, and above all action.
Governance disconnected from the people it serves is governance that falters. It loses legitimacy, it loses trust and it loses its every purpose, he added.
Lamiya Morshed said that the interim government inherited a broken system of institutions and economy and therefore lunched a series of reforms to help rebuild that will bring sustainable change to prevent a regression back to the old broken and corrupt system.
She said that reform in the governance has emerged as a national priority and the interim government initiated to bring about structural improvement.
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