Several initiatives taken by Bangladesh’s interim government to establish an independent judiciary have entered a phase of uncertainty. The government’s move to repeal or amend ordinances related to judicial appointments, a separate judicial secretariat, and subordinate court regulations has sparked strong opposition from rival parties. Legal experts and former officials fear these steps could undermine previous reforms and court rulings supporting judicial autonomy.

The interim government had approved the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance in November 2025, following the July uprising, as part of broader institutional reforms. The secretariat began operations in December with appointed officers and staff. However, since the recent national election, its activities have slowed, raising doubts about the government’s commitment to judicial independence. Senior lawyers and former Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed emphasized that these reforms were designed to ensure transparency and accountability in judicial appointments.

Civil society leaders and the ‘Young Judges for Judicial Reform’ group have urged the new parliament to pass the Supreme Court Secretariat Ordinance within 30 days of its first session and to uphold the national consensus on judicial independence reflected in the July Charter.