4 new commissions to be formed on health, media, labour rights, women affairs
Each martyr’s family from the student movement will receive Tk30 lakh in compensation
The interim government has announced the formation of four new reform commissions focused on health, mass media, labour rights, and women affairs.
National Professor Dr AK Azad will lead the health commission, while the mass media commission will be headed by columnist Kamal Ahmed. The labour rights commission will be chaired by Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies Executive Director Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, and the women affairs commission will be led by Shirin Parveen Haq, wife of Gonoshasthaya Kendra Founder Dr Zafrullah Chowdhury.
Previously, six commissions were formed to reform the election system, police, judiciary, public administration, the constitution, and anti-corruption measures. These commissions have already commenced their work.
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Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan shared the decision during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy yesterday.
She said that the newly established commissions would take full shape with members being appointed within the next 7-10 days. Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam were also present.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted the government's commitment to media freedom but cautioned against spreading fake news or misinformation.
She also confirmed receiving a report with recommendations to increase the age limit for entry into government jobs. "The report is under review, and a decision will be communicated later," she added.
The adviser also mentioned that discussions on the formation of an education commission are ongoing, and a decision will be made soon.
During the briefing, Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam announced that each martyr's family from the anti-discrimination movement would receive Tk30 lakh for rehabilitation. This money will be provided by the July Memorial Foundation, and additional funds will be made available if needed after verification.
Alam added that rehabilitation efforts are not limited to the families of martyrs but will extend to the injured as well. "A visible initiative for the rehabilitation of the injured will be taken next week," he said.
Rizwana Hasan addressed concerns about the treatment of the injured during the movement, stating that hospital lists of the dead and injured were tampered with. "Those involved will face action. If any injured individuals need advanced treatment abroad, that will be arranged. A list of seven people has already been prepared, and more will be added if necessary," she said.
She added that negligence in treating the injured would not be tolerated. "All public and private hospitals in Bangladesh have been instructed to provide free treatment to the injured. Those who have taken money have been ordered to return it," she concluded.
