Dissenting reform issues open to talks

The ongoing constitutional reform process is being opened to wider political discussion, with the government saying it is willing to consider compromises on areas of disagreement if opposition parties join the talks.

Home Minister and Chairman of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment Salahuddin Ahmed made the offer on Tuesday, saying differences reflected in “notes of dissent” could be discussed on the basis of consensus.

“Discussion on the issues where they have differences of opinion is possible on the basis of consensus.

But for that, they have to come to the discussions,” he told reporters at Parliament’s media centre after the committee’s fourth meeting.

Salahuddin again urged opposition parties to nominate members to the committee and participate in the constitutional amendment process.

“Our doors for discussion are open. We urge the opposition through you [the media] to nominate members to the constitutional amendment committee and join the discussions,” he said.

The committee has been consulting political parties and different sections of society as it works towards preparing its report by December.

It has already held discussions with newspaper editors, television and online media editors, media personalities and journalists, who submitted proposals on constitutional reform.

The participants proposed measures to strengthen democratic institutions, including provisions for a caretaker government, stronger constitutional institutions, and judicial decentralisation and independence.

Some participants also questioned the need for a bicameral Parliament and the proposal to limit a prime minister’s tenure to two terms.

On the proposed 10-year limit for a prime minister, Salahuddin said the government had not changed its position.

“Some have said that limiting the prime minister’s tenure to 10 years is undemocratic and contrary to the democratic rights of the people,” he said.

“But our party’s position was that no individual should remain prime minister for more than 10 years.

This proposal was made to prevent the establishment of authoritarianism.”

He said alternative proposals from opposition or other parties could be discussed in Parliament.

On the caretaker government, the minister said no final decision had been reached on its structure or framework and that further discussion would be required before Parliament considers the issue.

Regarding a bicameral Parliament, Salahuddin said some participants had questioned its necessity on the grounds that Bangladesh is a unitary state.

He said, however, that the committee would proceed in line with the consensus reached in the July National Charter, with the final decision to be taken by Parliament.

The committee plans to gradually consult constitutional experts, lawyers, judges, academics, social groups involved in the July uprising, families of those killed in the uprising and families of people who were allegedly subjected to enforced disappearance over the past 17 years.

It will also meet the National Consensus Commission, led by Dr Ali Riaz, towards the end of the consultation process.

Based on the views gathered from the various stakeholders, the committee will prepare a report and place it before Parliament.

The government expects the proposed constitutional amendments to subsequently be brought before Parliament through a bill.

The committee has set December as its target for completing the discussions and finalising its report.