I plead that the student leaders focus on institutional reforms rather than getting bogged down by politicians and their day-to-day political interests. This is a perfect window to demand institutional arrangements essential for a democratic process, including several critical components designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability:
๐. ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐ฌ
Demand separation of executive power from legislative power and ask for an independent judiciary.
๐. ๐
๐ซ๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐
๐๐ข๐ซ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ
The autonomy of the election commission is a must.
๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฐ
Demand that legal systems be reformed, that they apply equally to all citizens, and that government actions be based on legal principles. An independent judiciary should uphold the rule of law and protect human rights.
๐. ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ญ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ ๐
๐ฎ๐ง๐๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ฌ
Guarantees of civil liberties, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, must be guaranteed. DSA-type draconian tools must also be eliminated. Mechanisms must be established to protect minority rights and prevent discrimination.
๐. ๐๐ก๐๐๐ค๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐๐ฌ
Mechanisms to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. Oversight bodies, such as parliamentary committees, can hold the executive accountable.
๐. ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐
Independent Anti-corruption agencies and watchdogs to monitor government activities are a must. Public access to government information and decisions is also essential to ensure transparency.
7. Ask for a legal framework supporting the formation and functioning of political parties.
๐. ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐๐ญ๐ฒ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ ๐
๐ซ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฆ
Activate and work with civil society organizations that can mobilize citizens and advocate for policy changes. Demand free and independent media to inform the public and provide a platform for debate.
๐. ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ณ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐จ๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐
Empower local governments to address their communities’ needs and preferences. Establish mechanisms for local participation and decision-making.
๐๐. ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฌ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ข๐ฌ๐ฆ๐ฌ
Institutions or processes to resolve conflicts and disputes peacefully and constructively. Dialogues and forums for addressing grievances and preventing violence.
These institutional arrangements are interrelated and mutually reinforcing, forming the foundation for a functioning democratic system that reflects the people’s will while protecting individual rights and ensuring accountability.
โ๏ธ Kazi Faisal Bin Seraj
Senior Fellow, Youth Policy Forum – YPF