Consensus Commission opens talks with legal experts for July Charter’s constitutional footing

The commission is set for discussions with political parties and alliances again

The National Consensus Commission has begun discussions with legal and constitutional experts to ensure the National Charter, also known as the July Charter, is legally binding and to determine its method of implementation.

The commission held a discussion over the matter at the LD Hall of parliament on Sunday, said the commission’s Public Relations Officer Paban Chowdhury.

Retired justice MA Matin, Justice Md Moinul Islam Chowdhury, Dhaka University law department Dean Muhammad Ekramul Haque, senior Supreme Court lawyer Sharif Bhuiyan, lawyers Tanim Hossain Shawon and Imran Siddique took part in the discussions.

The commission, which began working in mid-February, held two-phase dialogues with political parties from March to Jul 31.

At the end of the second phase of discussions, Vice-President Ali Riaz said certain ways and means must be identified to implement the July Charter based on the recommendations of the Consensus Commission and the opinions of the parties.

On Aug 3, commission members met and reviewed various issues that had been agreed upon with the political parties.

At that meeting, it was decided that the commission would hold discussions in phases -- first with experts, followed by meetings with political parties and alliances to review the recommendations reached.

The commission said, out of 166 proposals in the first phase of the dialogue, political consensus was achieved on 62 issues -- some of which have already been implemented by the government through ordinances, policies, and executive decisions.

The second phase of the dialogue addressed 20 important constitutional issues. A national consensus was reached on 11 of these with the support of all parties, while the remaining nine were decided based on the majority opinion.

However, the dissenting views of some parties will also be highlighted.