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such dominance enabled controversial constitutional amendments, interference in the judiciary, and a weakened electoral system.

He questioned the hesitation over the ordinances, noting they had already received public endorsement through a referendum. With 10 out of 14 members in agreement, he said, it was unreasonable to delay decisions based on dissent from a few.

“A two-thirds majority has repeatedly proved a curse. Absolute power erodes judgement,” he added.

Photographer and activist Shahidul Alam said many in the current government had themselves been victims of enforced disappearance, making their stance difficult to understand.

He said he had personally spoken to the law minister, who reportedly expressed a desire to introduce a stronger law. “But my question is -- what is the problem with adopting the current ordinance for now and amending it later?”

Political analyst Dr Dilara Chowdhury described enforced disappearance as “state terror” and one of the gravest human rights violations.

“Repealing the Enforced Disappearance Prevention Ordinance means it would give law enforcement a licence for such practices,” she said, adding the move appeared influenced by an “invisible force”.

AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju said the aim of the mass uprising was to restore weakened state institutions, but the government and BNP now appear to be reverting to old practices.

Cumilla-4 MP Hasnat Abdullah warned that abandoning reforms while relying on majority power could lead to another uprising. The 2024 uprising was meant to transform the state, not just change individuals, he said, adding, “If the previous system remains intact, then any individual could eventually become another Hasina.”

He also criticised placing the Human Rights Commission under government control, saying it could shift investigative authority back to the home ministry and allow police to investigate allegations against themselves.

Tasnim Jara, independent candidate for Dhaka-9, said maintaining the Supreme Judicial Council and anti-enforced disappearance ordinance is essential for the rule of law, warning that weakening them would invite political interference.

Lawyer and activist Manzur Al Matin, rights activist Ruby Amatullah, and journalist Ashraf Kaisar also spoke, among others.

The event was moderated by Voice for Reform Co-coordinator Fahim Mashroor.