July Charter reforms on fast track, JS report by Dec

Discussions on implementing the recommendations of the July National Charter and proposed constitutional amendments will be completed by December, with a final report to be placed before Parliament, said Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday.

Speaking after a meeting of the Special Committee on Constitutional Amendments at the National Parliament, the minister said the process of implementing the charter’s recommendations and constitutional reforms was being expedited.

He assured that any supplementary proposals or suggestions of national importance, even if they fall outside the charter’s core framework, would be considered with due importance.

However, Salahuddin cautioned that introducing the old recommendations of reform commissions in their original form could complicate the process, as the National Consensus Commission had already reviewed the reports of six reform commissions and held extensive discussions before preparing the July Charter.

He said political parties that had expressed dissent on certain issues would have the opportunity to implement those proposals if they included them in their election manifestos and secured a public mandate.

The minister said 15 of the 26 political parties that signed the July Charter attended the discussions in person, sending two or three representatives each, while several others submitted written statements.

He added that the door for dialogue remained open to political parties that had not signed the charter or attended the meetings. Both registered and unregistered parties can submit written opinions or proposals, which the committee will consider seriously.

To expedite the process, the Parliament Secretariat and the special committee will hold at least one meeting every week, he said.

Explaining the proposed constitutional changes, Salahuddin said the formation of a bicameral parliament, including a 100-member upper house, was one of the key provisions of the July Charter.

He said the proposal was incorporated into the charter based on the 31-point reform agenda of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and the party’s election manifesto, with the aim of involving experienced and distinguished people from different sections of society in state affairs.

However, the government believes that even after the formation of an upper house, the specific legal authority to amend the Constitution should remain with the lower house, the minister said.

He dismissed claims that BNP was delaying the implementation of the July Charter due to its single-party parliamentary majority, describing the allegations as completely baseless and untrue.

Responding to questions about the legal process and the formation of a constitution reform council, Salahuddin said there was no need to rewrite the Constitution or establish a separate reform council in an established and independent state.

He said any constitutional amendment adopted through parliamentary procedures could itself be considered a form of reform.

Referring to democratic countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom, he said constitutions had been amended repeatedly in response to changing circumstances and public demands.

He added that future governments securing the necessary parliamentary majority or reaching consensus with other parties would be able to amend the Constitution in line with societal needs.