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Why the Citizens Coalition’s Seven Proposals Are Important
Recently, the Citizens’ Coalition has given seven proposals and two roadmaps for constitutional reform. Written by Asif Shahan, Zia Hasan, Fahim Masrur and Subail Bin Alam
Published: 20 May 2025, 13:20
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Bangladesh is standing at a critical and important juncture. After the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s authoritarian rule through a mass uprising, we have reached a rare moment where we have the opportunity to build a new democratic state based on justice.
Why the Citizens Coalition’s Seven Proposals Are Important
To resolve the ongoing impasse on reforms, it is essential to establish a minimum consensus among political parties. For this, it is first necessary to identify the mandatory conditions, without which no reform process will be successful.
In this situation, the ‘Citizens’ Coalition’, formed by some organizations and individuals of civil society, embodying the dreams and ideas raised through continuous dialogue between different sections of the reform-minded society, has presented seven proposals and two roadmaps for constitutional reform on behalf of the citizens. We consider these seven proposals to be mandatory conditions.
We have not only formulated these conditions among ourselves or in discussions with constitutional experts; rather, we have also discussed them with the top leaders of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Nagorik Party and many other parties and the leaders of the party’s elected reform committees.
We have followed three basic principles to identify these mandatory conditions. First, to ensure equal opportunities for all citizens in the democratic process by keeping the constitution free from manipulation by those in power. Second, to ensure effective oversight through impartial appointments. Third, to establish institutional balance and accountability to prevent the concentration of power.
