Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Ali Riaz, said on Tuesday that although the book of the July Charter appears in black and white, every word has been written with the blood of the country’s people.
He made the remarks at an interactive meeting titled Public Awareness Campaign on Referendum in Public and Private Universities at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building auditorium of University of Dhaka.
Referring to the sacrifices of those killed and injured in July, Ali Riaz said they did not aspire to become prime minister or president but wanted a dignified state, adding that the July Charter is a recognition of that debt.
“Do we have no responsibility, and will we deny the debt that allows us to speak here today,” he asked, saying the charter represents that very acknowledgment.
He said the July Charter was prepared through discussions with political parties, civil society, organisations, groups and individuals, adding that when he opens the book, he hears the cries of mothers who lost their children.
Ali Riaz also outlined the background to the abolition of the caretaker government system, saying the charter includes safeguards to ensure that one-person rule never returns to Bangladesh.
He said the so-called farce of three elections was carried out at the will of a single individual, which became possible after the caretaker system was scrapped.
Referring to the 2014 Election Commission, he said the president staged another drama, claiming that Kazi Rakibuddin Ahmad was appointed chief election commissioner at the prime minister’s behest despite his name not being on the search committee list, leading to a rigged election.
He said no conscientious person with democratic aspirations could support the continuation of such a system.
Ali Riaz said political parties have agreed in the July National Charter that future Election Commissions will be formed through consultations among representatives of the ruling party, the main opposition party and the second-largest opposition party in parliament.
Highlighting the role of the Public Service Commission under the previous regime, he said that if the charter is implemented, the president will no longer have unilateral authority to grant pardons.
He said political parties have also agreed that future states of emergency will drop the term “internal disturbance” and require cabinet approval with opposition representation.
Mentioning past constitutional amendments made to benefit a single individual, he said future amendments would require a two-thirds majority in parliament and the support of at least 51 members of a 100-member upper house.
Ali Riaz also spoke about reforms to the presidential election process and Article 70, saying the practice of forcing public representatives into party servitude has prevented parliament from even becoming a debating club.
He said all parties have agreed that four key parliamentary standing committees will be chaired by opposition members.
He urged all to work in support of the July Charter.
Those present included Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Monir Haidar, University Grants Commission Chairman SMA Fayez, Dhaka University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Sayma Haque Bidisha, people injured in July, and vice-chancellors, teachers, students and officials from various universities.
