Thought and Philosophy
A State in Which the Citizen Is the True Source of Power
At the centre of Sarwar Tushar’s thinking about Bangladesh’s political future is a citizen-centred, democratic and humane state.
The Second Republic
The Second Republic is not a symbolic slogan. It is a proposal to reconsider the fundamental structure of the state and to establish a new political settlement.
Its main foundations:
- Balance of power
- An independent and strong parliament
- An independent judiciary
- Effective local government
- An accountable executive
- Guarantee of citizens' fundamental rights
- Independent constitutional institutions
The Need for a New Constitution
The current constitutional structure has concentrated excessive power in the hands of the executive.
The goals of a new constitution or fundamental constitutional reform must be:
- Effective limits on the Prime Minister's powers
- A balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister
- An independent role for members of parliament
- Full independence of the judiciary
- Transparent appointments to constitutional institutions
- Strong protection of citizens' rights
- Preventing abuse of emergency powers
Rule of Law
The rule of law does not merely mean having laws. The rule of law is established only when the law is applied equally to everyone.
No one should be above the law because of political power, wealth or influence. Likewise, no citizen should be deprived of the protection of the law because of their political identity or opinion.
Security Sector Reform
Security agencies are institutions that ensure the security of the people, not of the state or the government.
What is needed:
- An independent police commission
- Legal safeguards in arrest and interrogation
- Effective measures against torture in custody
- Investigation of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings
- Parliamentary and judicial oversight
- An end to the use of the forces for political purposes
Decentralisation and Local Government
A Dhaka-centred system of administration and development cannot meet the needs of people in all parts of the country.
Local government must be given administrative, political and financial powers. Local people must be given the opportunity to take part in the budget, development planning and service management of their own areas.
Economic Justice
If the benefits of economic growth are concentrated in the hands of a limited group, it is not sustainable development.
The state must ensure:
- Decent employment
- Fair wages for workers
- Equal opportunities in education and healthcare
- Support for small and medium entrepreneurs
- Effective policies to reduce inequality
- Action against corruption and crony capitalism