United News of Bangladesh

National Consensus Commission Vice Chair Prof Ali Riaz on Tuesday called on political parties to show flexibility to resolve the remaining reform issues in a short time in a bid to prepare the National Charter within this July. “We must work together to reach a consensus on a National Charter. As far as possible, we need to do it collectively. For that, we hope each party must continue to change its position to some extent. But please consider the time constraint, so that we can finalise the charter within this month of July,” he said. Prof Ali Riaz made the call while presiding over the 14th day discussion of the second-round reform dialogue with political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. He said a consensus has already been reached on some issues, a few others were agreed upon at the initial stage of discussion, and now several still remain unresolved. “We will continue our discussions on the remaining issues,” said the Vice Chair of the Consensus Commission. Bangladesh’s Consensus Commission resumes talks with key issues topping agenda He said if there is any failure in consensus-building efforts, its liability will lie not only on the Commission but on all political parties involved. “If we fail anywhere, it will be a collective failure. If the Commission fails, it must be all our collective failure. We must consider it,” said Prof Riaz. Noting that there is no option for failure, he said the responsibility entrusted to the Consensus Commission is also upon the political parties. “We have only become a partner in your efforts,” he said. The Vice Chair said all unsettled issues must be resolved in the next several days of discussion. Several important Constitutional reform issues, including the formation of the Upper House of a prospective bicameral parliament and the woman seats in Parliament are being discussed in Tuesday’s dialogue. Some 30 political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and NCP joined the talks to present their respective positions on the proposed reforms. The Consensus Commission aims to finalise a unified stance on key reform proposals by July 31 after completing discussions on nearly 20 major constitutional issues during the ongoing second-round dialogue. Reform talks: no consensus on women’s seat election, upper house formation Based on political consensus, the Commission will unveil the National Charter — a reform roadmap aimed at restructuring the state. The second round of dialogues was launched on June 2 by Chief Adviser and Commission Chairman Prof Muhammad Yunus.

The National Consensus Commission wants to translate the aspirations of the 2024 mass uprising into a concrete form through a national charter, said commission’s Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz on Thursday. “We want to reflect the spirit of national consensus in a national charter so that every political party can play a role in realising its goals and objectives in the future,” he said at a dialogue with Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) in the city. An 11-member BSD delegation, led by its General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz, joined the talks at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban. Chairing the session, Prof Riaz said the initiative (reform initiative) of the National Consensus Commission is rooted in the long expectations of the people of Bangladesh. “The commission wants to give concrete form to the aspirations that were exposed through the 2024 July-August mass uprising,” he said. Structural reforms must to make Bangladesh democratic: Ali Riaz The Consensus Commission Vice Chairman said the current political situation in Bangladesh is the result of prolonged struggles by both the people and political forces. “The people of this country do not want a return of fascism again and again. We want to build a state where equality prevails, citizens' rights are ensured, and differing views are respected,” he added. Prof Riaz said the commission is working to build consensus through discussions with political parties, based on the recommendations of various reform commissions. “This responsibility does not lie with the National Consensus Commission alone. Political parties must move forward by reflecting the aspirations of the people,” he said. Flee of 'fascist ruler' a primary democratic victory: Ali Riaz Commission members Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Iftekharuzzaman,and Dr Md Ayub Miah were present in the discussion moderated by Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Monir Haider.