The Bangladesh Law Commission, formed in 1996 under the Awami League government, has produced numerous reform proposals over three decades, but only a small fraction have been implemented. According to official sources, out of 169 recommendations aimed at modernizing outdated laws, only eight have been adopted. Despite months or years of research and millions of taka in expenses, most reports remain shelved. The commission continues to review colonial-era laws even as global legal systems advance with the aid of artificial intelligence.

Former commission members and legal experts told the newspaper that political appointments and lack of institutional independence have undermined the body’s effectiveness. They noted that the commission’s work on issues such as witness protection, judicial appointments, and the abolition of corporal punishment has rarely influenced policy. Law Minister Md. Anisul Huq acknowledged that over 1.5 billion taka had been spent in two decades with limited results.

Experts argue that bureaucratic inertia, absence of legal obligation, and weak political will are the main barriers. They suggest amending the Law Commission Act to require parliamentary consideration or implementation of recommendations within a fixed timeframe.