Bangladesh has a historic opportunity to build a 'new democracy'

Transparency International (TI) Chair François Valérian has said Bangladesh has a historic opportunity to build a 'new democracy' rooted in accountability, integrity and people's power, following the last year's mass uprising that toppled authoritarian rule.
Speaking at a dinner meeting with civil society representatives, donor agencies, embassies and other stakeholders at the Transparency International Bangladesh's (TIB) Dhaka office in Dhanmondi on Thursday, Valérian stressed that authoritarianism is 'corrupt in itself' and that concentration of power invariably leads to abuse of power.
During his talk on 'People Power and the Fall of Authoritarianism: Opportunities and Challenges for Democratic Transition and Accountable Governance,' the TI chief recalled the July 2024 student-led movement that transformed into a nationwide uprising, forcing the collapse of what he described as a 'corrupt authoritarian regime'.
He praised the 'fearless refusal of abuse of power' by students, women and working-class citizens, many of whom sacrificed their lives, and called the July movement 'a heroic chapter in the creation of a new Bangladesh'.
Highlighting TIB's post-transition assessments, Valérian said impressive work has been done over the past year, but cautioned that long-term success depends on comprehensive structural reforms, a clear roadmap, and sustained efforts.
He identified strengthening the judiciary and law enforcement as critical to ensuring accountability, stressing that these must be free from political interference and adequately resourced to fight corruption.
Civil society oversight, transparency in public appointments, and mandatory asset declarations for officials are equally vital, he said.
The TI chair also pointed to the global dimension of corruption, noting that the previous regime siphoned off an estimated $16 billion annually, feeding into what he called the 'global economy of corruption'.
He cited the recent seizure of £185 million worth of London property linked to Bangladeshi corruption networks as evidence of illicit flows.
Valérian underscored the need for beneficial ownership transparency to prevent stolen assets from being hidden abroad and urged international cooperation to curb cross-border financial crimes.
He further emphasised that democracy cannot thrive in an environment of violence, harassment of journalists or discrimination against any community, calling for the inclusion of youth, women, and marginalised groups-such as waste workers and indigenous communities-in building a participatory democracy.
"Bangladesh has a historic opportunity to set an example for the world," Valérian said, adding that the country could break the cycle of authoritarianism and corruption by creating 'a democracy of the future, where power truly belongs to the people'.

bdsmile@gmail.com