Dhaka: Political parties reached consensus on the proposal to form an independent police commission to ensure that the police as a disciplinary force perform their duties efficiently in accordance with the law and free from influence. The police force will work to resolve complaints raised by any member of the police as well as complaints raised against any of its members by citizens.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, National Consensus Commission Vice-Chairman Professor Ali Riaz announced these developments during a press briefing after the 19th day of the second phase of discussions with political parties at the Doel Hall of the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. Commission Members Justice Md. Emdadul Haque, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder, Safar Raj Hossain, Dr. Md. Ayub Mia, and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Manir Haidar were present.
Prof Ali Riaz mentioned that consensus has been reached on 12 issues so far in the second phase of the ongoing discussions with political parties, while progress has been made on 7 other issues that are yet to be resolved. He detailed that the chairman of the nine-member commission will be a retired justice of the Appellate Division, not above the age of 75, while a retired police officer below the rank of Additional Inspector General of Police and not above the age of 62 will serve as the member secretary of the commission.
Other commission members will include a representative of the Leader of the House of Representatives, a representative of the Leader of the Opposition, a representative each from the Speaker and Deputy Speaker, a retired government officer not below the rank of Secretary (with experience as a District Magistrate), a judicial officer not below the rank of District Judge or a lawyer listed in the High Court Division of the Supreme Court with at least 15 years of experience in the legal profession, and a human rights activist with at least 10 years of practical work experience in a human rights organization registered in the country or abroad. At least two women members will be included among the commission members.
Professor Ali Riaz also stated that consensus was reached today on the term of the Prime Minister. Political parties have unanimously agreed that a person can remain in the post of Prime Minister for a maximum of 10 years in their lifetime. He expressed hope that the discussions with political parties will be completed by July 31, with the draft of the national charter to be sent to political parties tomorrow on behalf of the commission.
Representatives of 30 political parties, including Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party (NCP), Gano Ohikar Parishad, Gana Sanghati Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Biplobi Workers Party, and Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, participated in today’s discussions.