On 15 September, the global observance of International Day of Democracy carries a particularly poignant resonance across Bangladesh.
Centred on connecting democratic participation with human rights, social inclusion, and deliberative decision-making, this year’s global theme highlights the necessity of accountable and responsive governance.
Marking the occasion, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasised “the importance of bringing together people from across societies to enrich decision-making, foster trust and build more peaceful, inclusive and resilient societies.”
At UN Headquarters, an event convened by the United Nations Democracy Fund and the United Nations Office for Partnerships is focusing on how deliberative democracy – drawing on lessons from citizens’ assemblies worldwide – can strengthen agency, trust, and public ownership in decision-making.
For Bangladesh, these international principles mirror a profound domestic transformation.
Following a pivotal political changeover, the nation is regaining a firm footing in democratic practice after an overwhelming majority in 12 February participatory election brought BNP into office.
Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, democracy is reshaping its trajectory through good governance and the rule of law, enabling citizens to experience and value fundamental rights that were denied to them for years.
From the shadow of fear to open dialogue
The shift in Bangladesh’s political atmosphere is now visible across public life.
After years dominated by political apprehension, tangible signs of democratisation have emerged.
Opposition political parties regularly organise programmes, media outlets exercise expanded room to question those in power, and open public critique – including political satire and editorial cartoons – can appear without fear.
This open public square marks a distinct departure from the previous 17 years under Sheikh Hasina’s government, described by political figures as an era of state fascism, autocracy, and state terrorism.
During that period, the electorate was stripped of its voting rights across three consecutive national elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024.
The path toward democratic recovery was forged through the victorious mass movement on 5 August 2024, following the July uprising.
A one-and-a-half-year interim administration subsequently prepared the country for the free and fair election of 12 February 2026, allowing the public to reclaim its long-awaited democratic rights.
Nearly seven months after the democratic election, key governance indicators reflect a changed national landscape.
During this period, there have been no reported incidents of extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearance, or politically motivated mass arrests, nor have any newspapers or media platforms been closed for publishing criticism of the administration.
Moreover, for the first time following a democratic election, the nation has experienced no terrorist activity during these months.
Voices across the political spectrum
Commemorating International Democracy Day, BNP Acting Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi issued a message cautioning that continuous democratic practice remains the primary defense against the rise of any dictatorial force.
In an interview with BSS, Rizvi said establishing the rule of law is an indispensable condition for democracy, adding that constructive criticism and political opposition are natural components of a democratic state.
He observed that under PM Tarique, the treasury bench actively listens to opposition viewpoints – a parliamentary practice absent over the past 17 or 18 years when parliament was turned into an instrument of fascism and repression.
However, Rizvi urged political actors to refrain from using indecent, uncivil, or unedifying language in the name of opposition.
He stressed that safeguarding democracy requires active cooperation from every sector, including the government, democracy-loving political parties, the media, and the judiciary.
To permanently institutionalise the current free political environment, Rizvi underscored that core state pillars – the judiciary, administration, and media – must remain completely independent and neutral.
Opposition leaders have similarly reflected on the significance of the country’s democratic transition.
In a statement issued today, Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Md Shafiqur Rahman said the previous Awami fascist government had buried democracy, depriving citizens of voting rights, justice, social security, and fundamental rights.
Describing democracy as the principal foundation for social justice, freedom of expression, and the rule of law, Shafiqur declared that the revolution born of the July 2024 mass uprising must not fail in fulfilling national aspirations to build a discrimination-free and humane Bangladesh.
Nurturing a resilient democratic future
This outlook is shared by General Secretary of Biplobi Workers Party (BWP) of Bangladesh, Saiful Haque, who said in a BSS interview that freedom of speech is now unrestricted across the country.
Saiful explained that unhindered freedom of expression was a primary demand of the 2024 movement so that individuals, institutions, and political parties could state their views without threat or pressure.
Today, opposition leaders and activists freely critique the government – from the prime minister to cabinet members – both inside and outside parliament.
Saiful emphasised that fully guaranteeing the rights of the political opposition remains a fundamental benchmark of true democratisation.
With core goals centered on guaranteeing the safety of lives, social justice, human rights, and voting rights, Bangladesh’s current trajectory marks a move away from systemic fear toward accountable governance.
While challenges remain on the road ahead, the nation’s attempt to present simplicity, humanity, tolerance, and restraint as central qualities of governance offers an essential foundation for lasting democratic progress.
