NCC to submit July Charter roadmap today

Bangla Press Desk:   The final recommendations for implementing the July National Charter 2025 – an agreement signed by political parties pledging to rebuild the state based on democracy and human dignity in the wake of the mass uprising that toppled the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina- are set to be submitted to the government today.

The National Consensus Commission (NCC) will formally hand over the much-discussed recommendations to the government in the presence of Advisory Council members at the State Guest House Jamuna at 12 noon.

The submission comes amid ongoing disagreements among major political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP).

While BNP and Jamaat are among the 25 parties that have already signed the charter, the NCP has so far refrained from doing so, citing reservations over certain clauses and implementation assurances.

The decision to submit the recommendations followed the NCC’s concluding meeting held on Monday at Jamuna, chaired by Chief Adviser and NCC Chairman Prof Muhammad Yunus.

NCC Vice-Chairman Prof Dr Ali Riaz, members Justice Md Emdadul Haque, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Mohammad Ayub Miah, along with the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haider, were present.

Sources said the recommendations include issuing a special order to give the July Charter legal standing, followed by a referendum, and empowering the next parliament to function in a dual capacity- both as a constitutional reform council and as parliament itself.

The July Charter, which outlines comprehensive reforms spanning the constitution, elections, judiciary, public administration, police, and anti-corruption framework, was signed by the political parties and the

government in a mammoth ceremony on 17 October following a year-long discussion. The NCC finalised the July Charter following three rounds of dialogue with political parties.

Although a total of 33 political parties and alliances had joined the dialogue, some parties have not yet signed the document. The NCP, however, held a meeting with the NCC on 25 October and said it will sign the July Charter only after the assurance of its implementation through an order and referendum.

Many believe that the party will sign the charter at the last moment as the extended tenure of the NCC will expire on 31 October. Before the tenure expires, the commission held its concluding meeting with the presence of the commission’s chief, who is also the chief of the interim government.

At the concluding meeting, Prof Yunus emphasised the importance of preserving all documents, videos, audios, and pictures of the discussions from the formation of the NCC until the final recommendations are made.

He said, “These are invaluable assets. As a nation, we need to preserve and keep open for everyone the context, process, and decisions we reached in the long term. All the discussions that were broadcast live on television should also be preserved in fragments.”

Mentioning the importance, the chief adviser said these will be living documents of history. “Those who want to do research should be able to see them and use them. These documents will remain for generations to come. These documents will be at the center of future political discussions,” he added.

Prof Yunus expressed his gratitude to the political parties, the officials concerned and employees of the NCC, researchers, and media workers. 

In the closing meeting, the commission members called on the government to take steps to finalise the outline for the implementation of the July Charter and also implement the recommendations of other reform commissions.

Ali Riaz said the NCC has worked to lay the foundation for a permanent, accountable state.  NCC member and chief of Election Reform Commission Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar said everyone expects the government’s commitment and courage in implementing the July Charter.

Justice Emdadul Haque said, “The unity that existed between the political parties in the mass uprising was reflected in the same sincerity in the commission meetings. This is a very positive aspect.”

NCC member and chief of Police Reform Commission Safar Raj said, “For the first time, the political parties have sat down and discussed patiently. It is our hope that such cordiality will continue in the future.”  NCC member and head of the Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission Dr Iftekharuzzaman called upon the government to take firm steps in implementing the July Charter.

BP/SP