Nagorik Coalition, a citizen-led initiative dedicated to reforming the state’s democratic structure, has expressed grave concerns regarding a parliamentary committee’s recommendation to repeal several ordinances vital to the independence of judiciary.
In a statement issued Friday, the coalition noted that on 2 April, the Parliamentary Special Committee – tasked with reviewing 133 ordinances passed during the interim government’s tenure – published a report recommending the repeal of four ordinances.
These include the Supreme Court Judges (Appointment) Ordinance-2025 and the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance-2025.
The Nagorik Coalition expressed deep concern over the move to scrap these long-awaited reforms, which were highly anticipated by all sectors of society to ensure judicial independence.
It argued that such a regressive step raises serious public questions, as it contradicts the principles of judicial administrative independence, institutional balance, and the separation of powers.
The statement further highlighted that the current ruling party BNP had formally committed to judicial independence and the effective separation of the judiciary from the executive in its “31-Point State Reform” plan, the “July Sanad” (July Charter), and its 2023 election manifesto.
The coalition stated that the initiative to repeal these ordinances appears to be a direct violation of those written national commitments.
Moreover, the coalition pointed out that in the 2026 Referendum, more than two-thirds of the country’s voters cast their ballots in favour of these specific reforms. “Consequently, this process of abandonment is akin to trampling the free and clear will of the people,” the statement read.
The Nagorik Coalition emphasised that a national consensus on judicial independence and separation has been built over decades through the efforts of various political parties, human rights organisations, and civil society groups.
It maintained that any changes to the judicial administrative structure should be aimed at strengthening, rather than weakening, the institutional autonomy of the courts.
On behalf of the Nagorik Coalition, Fahim Mashroor, co-coordinator of the organisation, called upon the government to reconsider the decision to repeal the ordinances and to remain respectful of its policy commitments regarding the independence and separation of the judiciary.
