Dhaka: National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz today hoped for signing the July Charter based on the consensus of all parties on the martyrdom day of Shaheed Abu Sayed. “Different proposals placed through talks were kept in mind because we have to reach a consensus through discussions. The July month will begin after a day, and the Commission is committed to adopting the national charter within July,” he said. Prof Riaz was delivering his opening remark at the beginning of a discussion of the commission with the political parties starting at the Foreign Service Academy here at about 10.30 am.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Prof Riaz emphasized that the Commission is performing an important responsibility entrusted by the government for state reforms. He noted the necessity of flexibility on various issues based on the opinions of political parties, as they represent the country’s people. He reminded party leaders that they might govern the country someday and stressed the importance of ensuring no constitutional amendment is made against the people’s wishes.
Prof Riaz highlighted the importance of limiting individual power in governance, pointing out past issues with individualism. He called for constitutional safeguards through the independence of the legal system and judiciary. Recalling the sacrifice of the July martyrs and injured, he acknowledged the oppression, sacrifice, and torture endured by many to reach this point. He urged reaching a consensus as a responsibility and duty.
In the second round of talks, the National Consensus Commission is meeting with political parties for the seventh day to reach a consensus on state reform issues and prepare the July Charter. The meeting, presided over by Prof Riaz, was attended by Commission members Justice Emdadul Haque, Badiul Alam Majumder, Dr Md Ayub Mia, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, and Safar Raj Hossain, along with Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Monir Haider. Representatives from 30 political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and others, joined the discussion.