Ali Riaz says 12th Amendment gave PM absolute power, paved way for ‘fascist regime’ in Bangladesh

Ali Riaz, vice-chair of the National Consensus Commission, has said the rise of a “fascist regime” in Bangladesh was inevitable once the 12th Amendment to the Constitution vested “absolute” power in the hands of the prime minister.

Speaking at an event held at the capital’s International Mother Language Institute on Sunday, Riaz criticised the current constitutional framework, arguing that the 12th Amendment transferred “every aspect” of presidential power to the prime minister.

The event was organised by the Citizens' Coalition on the group’s seven-point proposal for constitutional reform.

He said, “The Constitution allows the executive branch to function without any real accountability, giving absolute power to the prime minister. Under such circumstances, the emergence of an autocratic regime was only a matter of time.”

Citing the 12th Amendment of 1991 as a turning point, he said that a “grave mistake” occurred during the transition to a parliamentary system.

Riaz explained that the mistake was the Fourth Amendment of 1975, which handed over the absolute power wielded by the president to the prime minister.

He added, “The presidential powers, prime minister’s powers, and the dominance of personality-driven politics have all contributed to 16 years of authoritarian rule.”

Zonayed Saki, chief coordinator of the Ganosanhati Andolan, also advocated for a Constitutional Reform Commission.

He noted, “The fundamental reform of the Constitution cannot take place without the people’s mandate, let alone drafting a completely new constitution. That’s why we proposed a Constitutional Reform Commission.”

On the broader topic of reform, Saki said: “It is essential to identify the issues of reformation on which there is consensus. Establishing a clear roadmap is equally important, which has started political discourse. In the political arena, the roadmap takes centre stage.”