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saying that Bangladesh has none and urged the formation of a new education commission to help build a knowledge-based and humane society.

BNP Standing Committee member and lawmaker Abdul Moyeen Khan said 133 ordinances were discussed during the first session, with 97 passed unchanged and 13 in amended form.

Criticising complacency, he warned that lawmakers cannot afford to “sleep in comfort”, stressing that their core responsibility is to fight for democracy.

Economist Dr Mahbubullah said Bangladesh had never fully experienced democracy and still carried the legacy of authoritarianism.

“If we fail to move in the right direction, we will not be able to prevent the return of autocracy or fascism,” he warned.

He also stressed the need to restore weakened state institutions and reduce economic inequality.

Shujan Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar said governments formed with more than a two-thirds majority in previous elections had failed to ensure peaceful transfers of power. “This time we must ensure we do not fail,” he said.

Expressing cautious optimism about the first session, he said initiatives to work collectively were visible, but hatred was also spread.

Majumdar said important laws on judicial independence, enforced disappearances and human rights were not passed, while less significant ordinances were approved.

Calling the 13th parliament a milestone, Prof Borhan Uddin Khan of Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs said this parliament has several unique features, including 260 first-time lawmakers.

Unlike previous elections, he said, people were able to vote freely this time.

In his keynote speech, he said one of the biggest challenges before parliament would be amending Article 142 of the constitution and implementing the July charter.

“The parliament must not become authoritarian as in the past, and lawmakers must remain restrained in their conduct,” he said.