The National Consensus Commission (NCC) will seek formal commitments from political parties to fully implement the July Charter within two years.
The NCC yesterday (Monday) sent the draft parts of the July National Charter to the political parties to review it. The draft includes the context of the July Charter, formation of the reform commissions, formation and responsibilities of the National Consensus Commission and as well as a proposed declaration of commitment from the parties.
However, agreed-upon reform proposals will be incorporated into the final document after the ongoing second round of discussions concludes.
Political parties will sign the national charter making commitment for its implementation, according to the draft charter.
“We’ve sent the draft parts of the Charter to the political parties for review. Matters (agreed reform recommendations) on which consensus is reached will be incorporated into the final version after the ongoing dialogue ends,” NCC Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz told media.
According to the draft, the parties will pledge to implement fully the Charter prepared based on a consensus through a long process, reflecting public aspirations following a long democratic struggle and sacrifices made by countless people.
The declaration further states that the political parties will make a commitment to carry out reforms proposed in the Charter, including those related to the Constitution, judiciary, electoral system, public administration, police, and anti-corruption frameworks, through necessary constitutional amendments, legal changes and policy reforms.
It adds the government formed after the next general election must be responsible for implementing these reforms within two years after adoption of this charter to ensure their sustainability of the reforms.
As per the declaration of commitments, the historic significance of the 2024 anti-discrimination, democratic movement and mass uprising must be given due recognition in the Constitution.
While delivering his speech at the beginning of the 20th day of the second phase of the commission's meeting with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital he said that the commission is going to reach the final process of the historic July Charter in the next 2-3 days through continuous discussions.
Prof Ali Riaz said: "With your cooperation, we hope that we will be able to reach the final process of a charter in the next 2-3 days".
He said they repeatedly make changes and reforms through talks so that they can agree on a specific point.
"So far, we have agreed on 12 issues. Although there are notes of dissent on two issues, I would say that consensus is possible as everyone is making compromise," he said.
The vice-chairman said they have to resolve these issues that are important for the fundamental reform of the state structure in any way.
For example, he said, they have all been struggling for a long time with the caretaker government system, and a framework in this regard needs to be presented before the nation to avoid terrible situation in the future.
"That is why your opinions are being reflected through repeated talks, and changes and amendments are being made if necessary."
Prof Ali Riaz urged the representatives of the political parties to continue talks in the same way and reach a certain point in the next two or three days.
"We want to add important issues to the National Charter; present it to the nation and sign it together to create a historical document that will include the roadmap of the future of Bangladesh," he said.
He said they never think that they will be able to include all the issues to it, but they are considering only those issues very important and fundamental for state reform.
He hoped that those who will work as future public representatives or be involved in politics will take these issues of the commission into consideration in the future.
The commission is scheduled to send a draft of the July Charter to political parties in today's meeting.
Today's agendas of the meeting include provisions for the appointment of the Public Service Commission, the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Auditor General and the Ombudsman, and women's representation in parliament.
Representatives of 30 political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Jatiya Nagorik Party (NCP), Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gana Sanghati, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Biplobi Workers Party, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, are participating in today's meeting.
The meeting was also attended by Commission members Justice Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumder, Dr Md Ayub Mia, Dr Iftekharuzzaman and Safar Raj Hossain and Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider.
