Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has urged the people to cooperate with the interim government to accomplish reforms, announcing formation of six commissions to carry out the job.
Unveiling his reform ideas with the people, the Chief Adviser said six eminent citizens have been appointed to head these commissions. Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar will act as the head of electoral system reform commission while Sarfraz Chowdhury as head of police administration reform commission, Justice Shah Abu Naeem Mominur Rahman as head of judiciary reform commission, Dr.Iftekharuzzaman as head of the anti-corruption reform commission, Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury as head of public administration reform commission and Dr Shahdeen Malik as head of constitution reform commission. After this, the government will continue the process of formation of commissions on various other issues, he added.
The interim government is actively considering forming a media commission to ensure that the media can operate without obstacles.
"Freedom of the press and freedom of expression have already been assured. We have made it clear that everyone should criticise us openly. We respect all opinions," he said in a televised address to the nation this evening.
He added that false and harassing cases filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Digital Security Act, and Cyber Security Act are being withdrawn.
A list of all repressive laws, including the Cyber Security Act, has been prepared, and these laws will soon be repealed or amended where necessary, Prof Yunus said.
"Assistance is being provided to expedite investigations and trials in five high-profile murder cases, including the killing of journalist couple Sagar and Runi," he added.
In his 33-minute speech to the nation, the chief adviser said We want reforms. It is our sincere request - please don't go to the spectators' gallery after bestowing the key responsibility of reform on us. Stay with us. We will do the reform together. It is the responsibility for all," he said in a televised "We want reforms. It is our sincere request - please don't go to the spectators' gallery after bestowing the key responsibility of reform on us.
Stay with us. We will do the reform together. It is the responsibility of all," he said in a televised address to the nation Wednesday evening.
The names of the other members of these commissions will be decided in consultation with the heads of the respective commissions, Dr Yunus said.
Advisory council members, students, workers, representatives of mass movements, representatives of civil society and political parties will be present in the deliberations and consultation meetings of the commissions.
"The Election Commission, once fully constituted, is expected to formally begin its work on October 1 and they expect it to be completed within the next three months," Chief Adviser Dr Yunus said.
"Based on the Commission's report, the government will hold consultations with major political parties at the next stage," he said adding that at the final stage, the outline of reform ideas will be finalised on the basis of a three-to-seven-day long consultation meeting with students, civil society, representatives of political parties and representatives of the government.
It will also give an idea of how this outline will be implemented," Dr Yunus said in a televised speech to the nation marking completion of the first month of the interim government.
"We believe that this will make the whole nation strong and optimistic in the implementation of the message of the July mass uprising and uniting all to rebuild the state," Dr Yunus said.
He said they have a lot of work ahead of them and they all want to move towards the same goal. "We all want to ensure equal rights to every member of our family, be he/she sweeper, student, teacher or from any religion. This is the main goal of our reforms. Let us quickly implement the goal of this revolution of students, workers and people."
Prof Yunus said in their first month, they may not have been able to move forward with the speed and enthusiasm that they had in view of the actual situation.
"If the law and order situation of the country is kept normal, we hope we can boost our speed a lot. For this reason, I am asking for the cooperation of all the people of the country - teachers, students, farmers, workers, professionals, big businesspeople, small businesspeople, day laborers, housewives," he said.
He said their work is tough, but as a nation they cannot afford to fail this time. "We must succeed. This success will come because of you and it will come because of your cooperation. Our job will be to make your and my dreams come true."
Prof Yunus said they are starting the second month. "In our second month, I will try to create strong confidence in your mind."
"Be patient, I will not tell you this at all. We all get impatient thinking when so much work will be completed. We will be impatient. Why not? But it will work properly. I will show no sign of impatience in work," he said.
Dr Yunus ended his speech sending his greetings to everyone - people of the country, children, teenagers, young people, students, old people, men and women.
