Revisions done, July Charter set to be sent to parties

The finalised July Charter is likely to be sent to political parties in a day or two following revisions to three contentious commitments that several parties had raised objections to.

However, the National Consensus Commission has decided not to include the implementation process in the July Charter.

A member of the commission, preferring anonymity, said that once the charter is sent to the political parties, any objections they may have will not be addressed.

Earlier on August 16, the commission sought pledges on eight broad commitments, prioritising the ideals of the July uprising.

Among these, three points drew concerns from some political parties, including the BNP: a provision stating that if the charter conflicted with existing laws or the constitution, the charter would take precedence; another that vested the authority to interpret any provision or recommendation of the charter in the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court; and a clause that barred challenges to the charter's legitimacy in court.

Speaking to The Daily Star yesterday, the commission's Vice-President Prof Ali Riaz said the three commitments had been revised in response to the concerns.

"We are consulting legal experts and revising the commitments with provisions that will be both legally sound and politically acceptable."

He added that the final charter will be structured in two volumes. The first will contain the consensus points that can be implemented immediately through government orders and ordinances, and the second will include issues that would require more time for implementation.

The earlier drafts of the charter were not split into two volumes.

Prof Riaz confirmed that the implementation process will not be included in the charter itself. "After getting feedback from political parties on how they want to implement the charter, and after consulting legal experts, we will submit our recommendations on the implementation process to the government."

He added that the commission will not extend its tenure beyond September 15 -- its set deadline.

In a related development, Prof Riaz met with law adviser Asif Nazrul to discuss the finalisation of the charter yesterday.

A source within the commission said Prof Riaz briefed the adviser about the recommendations made by political parties regarding the charter's implementation.

Some parties suggested mechanisms such as public assembly, referendum, constitutional reform session, presidential decree, or ordinances as ways to implement the charter.

The commission also held its own meeting yesterday to review the recommendations received so far and finalise the charter.

About the delay in finalisation, a commission member, wishing anonymity, said not all political parties had submitted feedback yet, though some are expected to do so today.

The commission is set to meet around 3:00pm today, after which the final charter is expected to be sent to the political parties.

Prof Riaz said a public programme will be organised where the parties will sign the charter.

To finalise the July Charter, the commission held informal meetings with 28 political parties and sought their opinions on the methods and procedures of implementation. So far, 26 have responded.

Following the fall of the Awami League-led government in August last year, the interim government initially formed six commissions to recommend basic reforms.

Later, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus constituted the Consensus Commission, comprising the heads of those reform commissions, with the task of preparing the July Charter through dialogue and consensus among political parties, to serve as a blueprint for future governance.

In March, the commission held its first round of talks with 32 political parties and alliances on 166 proposals, reaching consensus on 62.

In the second round, agreement was reached on 20 more issues, while BNP, Jamaat, NCP and others placed notes of dissent on nine points.

The preliminary draft of the charter, based on 84 agreed proposals, was sent to political parties on July 28.