The National Citizen Party (NCP) has signed the July National Charter on the condition that the popular verdict of the referendum will be fully implemented, without any note of dissent.
NCP convener Nahid Islam informed journalists of this after signing the July National Charter at state guesthouse Jamuna on Monday evening.
Nahid Islam said, “We have signed the July National Charter, but we have mentioned as a comment that this signing is without any note of dissent and that the popular verdict of the referendum will be fully implemented.”
He said that although the charter’s completeness has been achieved through the signing, the party has a clear position that a note of dissent cannot be part of any decision.
Nahid Islam informed that today (Monday), on the last day of the interim government, they came to Jamuna at the government’s invitation so that the July National Charter, or the document of consensus on reforms, could be signed on behalf of the National Citizen Party.
He said, “As you already know, this July National Charter or the demand for reform originated from our July mass uprising. We spoke about a new settlement and state reforms. Subsequently, everything was implemented through the reform commissions. From the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, and later the National Citizen Committee to the National Citizen Party, we have taken the strongest position in favour of reform.”
Nahid Islam further said, “But when the July Charter was signed, NCP was not present and did not sign. Because we said that unless the legal basis of this charter is determined, signing it would be meaningless. Besides, regarding the presence of a note of dissent, our position was that a note of dissent cannot be part of any decision. A clear statement was needed. Later, in response to our demand, the July National Charter order was issued, and based on that order, this election and referendum was held. In the referendum, the people’s verdict has come in favour of reform.”
He informed that the NCP participated in the parliamentary election and will work to implement the aspirations of the July National Charter and reform by going to parliament.
NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said, “Our position has always been in favour of reform. Based on the verdict given by the people in the referendum, we have signed today. Our condition was the full implementation of the referendum without any note of dissent.”
Akhter Hossen said, “The July National Charter is a strength for us; it is an opportunity to rebuild Bangladesh’s governance system. Those who have been elected as members of the Constitutional Reform Council and as Members of Parliament through the election will take both oaths. The chief election commissioner will lead the oath-taking. We hope that through this process, the Bangladeshi state will be able to fully implement the reforms of the July National Charter.”
Both Nahid Islam and Akhter Hossen mentioned that the work of implementing reforms according to this charter and the referendum order will begin in parliament and the reform council from Tuesday.
They also thanked the interim government, which took responsibility after the mass uprising and, despite various limitations, has peacefully transferred power.
