WASHINGTON—On February 12, Bangladesh held its first democratic elections since widespread protests ousted the government of Sheikh Hasina, who was prime minister from 1996 to 2001 and again from 2009 to 2024.
During the past year and half, during which an interim government was led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, political parties within the country came together to draft the July Charter. This...
The article highlights the importance of implementing the judicial, electoral, and rights-related reforms outlined in the July Charter for Bangladesh's democratic future and national prosperity. It also warns that public satisfaction with democratic governance is profoundly rooted in economic opportunity and that a lack of economic opportunity paired with perceptions of corruption can lead to unrest, as shown by the Gen Z-led uprising in Nepal.
The article suggests prioritizing two specific refo...