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.
















