July Charter: BNP ready to sign; Jamaat, NCP hesitant

Several political
parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, National Citizen Party and Islami Andolan
Bangladesh, have yet to decide on signing the July Charter, saying
the document needs a clear legal framework before they can endorse it.
They argue that without such a basis, signing would bring no meaningful
outcome.
The BNP and several other parties,
however, have agreed to sign.
According
to BNP sources, the party held a meeting yesterday evening to finalise the
names of representatives to be sent to the National Consensus Commission. As of
9:15pm, the meeting was still underway.
The BNP is likely to nominate Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and
Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed for the signing, said the sources.
On
Thursday, the commission sent the final version of the charter to political
parties, saying it reflected the views of all sides.
It
asked each party to submit the names of two representatives by 5:00pm today for
signing. The commission will meet experts tomorrow morning before sitting with
political parties in the afternoon, and again Monday if needed, to discuss
implementation.
The Jamaat and NCP also held separate meetings yesterday to review the
document. Jamaat Assistant Secretary General Hamidur Rahman Azad said the party
was still discussing the matter and would decide after internal consultations.
NCP
Joint Convener Javed Rasin said if the commission handed implementation
responsibility to the government, it would push the issue to the next
parliament or into uncertainty. "In that case, the party would decide in
its forum whether to sign or not," he said.
Islami
Andolan's presidium member Ashraf Ali Akon said their leaders were on
organisational tours and could not yet evaluate the charter. They would only
sign if assured of a legal framework during the interim government, he added.
The
Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) is also undecided. General Secretary Ruhin
Hossain Prince said CPB would not sign if the final text retains a clause
preventing signatory parties from challenging the document in court.
Gono
Odhikar Parishad, meanwhile, is dissatisfied that the 2018 quota reform
movement was not explicitly recognised in the charter. Although the final draft
mentions the broader movement, Office Secretary Shakil Uzzaman said the party
is still considering its position.
Bangladesher
Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist) has raised objections on state principles and
women's representation in parliament, and will not sign unless these matters
are addressed, party sources said.
On
the other hand, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) has decided to sign and will send
Vice President Tania Rob's name to the commission, General Secretary Shahid
Uddin Mahmud Swapan confirmed.
On
Thursday night, commission members met at Jamuna with chair and Chief Adviser
Muhammad Yunus. Sources said although its tenure was scheduled to end on
September 15, it may be extended to September 30.
Commission
Vice-President Prof Ali Riaz told this newspaper that progress had already been
made on implementing some charter provisions, especially those not tied to
constitutional changes. He said parties agreed the interim government could
carry out reforms through ordinances and executive orders, and some have
already been enacted.
"Regarding
constitutional reforms, a few are fundamental to governance and structural
change, and these need to be prioritised," Riaz said. "Many have been
agreed upon by all parties. Others should be implemented to ensure a 'new
Bangladesh'. Acceptable methods must be agreed upon for these issues."
















