Dhaka: Law Minister Md. Asaduzzaman today emphasized that all reform initiatives must be enacted within the constitutional framework, underscoring the Constitution as the supreme legal foundation of the state and parliament. This statement was made during a discussion on the motion for summoning the session of the Constitution Reform Council in parliament.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the motion was introduced by Opposition Leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman under Section 62 of the Rules of Procedure as part of the July National Charter (Constitution Reform) Implementation Order, 2025. The Law Minister addressed concerns raised by opposition members regarding the legitimacy of the constitutional process, advising them to examine the relevant ordinances and provisions closely.
The minister highlighted that the July Charter is central to current political discourse, representing a public mandate following the July 24 mass uprising. He stated that the people have entrusted the government with the mandate to carry out all activities under the Constitution and to implement necessary reforms through parliamentary processes.
Md. Asaduzzaman detailed that the July Charter specifies reform measures that must be adopted through parliamentary means rather than extra-constitutional methods. Key constitutional commitments in the charter include provisions for women’s representation and a proposal to appoint a deputy speaker from the opposition, reflecting the government’s dedication to democratic values.
He noted the historical significance of the Constitution, linking it to the sacrifices made during the Liberation War and the democratic struggles of the people. The Constitution has been amended at various times to restore democracy, judicial independence, and multi-party governance, he remarked.
The minister recalled the restoration of parliamentary democracy in 1991 under Begum Khaleda Zia, highlighting that constitutional continuity and democratic reforms have consistently been achieved through parliamentary processes. He reiterated the commitment to progress through constitutional amendments aligned with the July Charter and the people’s mandate.
Further, Asaduzzaman clarified that any directive lacking constitutional backing cannot be considered law, explaining that ordinances issued under Article 93 of the Constitution possess legal validity. Parliament, he emphasized, is sovereign in law-making and cannot be bound by unauthorized orders.
In his address, the law minister cited historical precedents of countries adopting constitutions through political consensus and parliamentary procedures. He advocated for Bangladesh to follow a similar path by amending the Constitution through a parliamentary committee and democratic deliberation.
He welcomed the proposal to form a special parliamentary committee on constitutional reform, urging the Speaker to establish a committee for all parties to discuss and analyze the July Charter provisions, aiming to bring about a constitutional amendment. He concluded by expressing that while the July Charter should guide reforms, all actions must be undertaken through constitutional and parliamentary procedures, emphasizing the necessity of national unity and democratic consensus for sustainable constitutional reform.