Staff Reporter :
Professor Ali Riaz, Vice-Chairman of the National Consensus Commission, announced yesterday that the commission is formulating a national charter designed to give structured expression to the aspirations that emerged from the mass uprising of July-August 2024.
Speaking during a dialogue with the Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Prof Riaz said the proposed charter would serve as a foundation for political cooperation in the years ahead. “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 future,” he said.
The meeting was attended by Commission members Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, and Dr Md Ayub Miah, along with Monir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser. BSD’s 11-member delegation was led by General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz.
Prof Riaz emphasised that the initiative stems from “long-standing expectations of the people of Bangladesh.” He described the political momentum since last year’s uprising as a product of decades of civic and political struggles.
“The uprising of July-August not only expressed the public’s deep frustrations but also articulated their long-held hopes,” he said. “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.”
The commission, formed after the fall of the previous government, is engaging in dialogues with political parties across the spectrum to build consensus on fundamental reforms. Riaz noted that their work draws on the recommendations of earlier reform commissions, aiming to anchor the democratic process in broad-based agreement.
“This responsibility does not lie with the National Consensus Commission alone,” he cautioned. “Political parties must move forward by reflecting the aspirations of the people.”
BSD leaders welcomed the initiative and expressed their support for a charter that could institutionalize democratic values and provide a roadmap for future political transitions.
The dialogue is part of a broader series of consultations intended to gather input from political stakeholders, civil society, and grassroots movements. The commission is expected to release a draft of the charter later this year.
