Bangladesh Lawmakers Target December for Key Constitution Reforms
Bangladesh’s Special Committee on Constitutional Amendment expects to finish its talks by December. This important committee is already drafting its report on proposed constitutional changes. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, who chairs the committee, shared this news on Sunday. He spoke after the committee’s second meeting at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban.
The committee invited 26 political parties and alliances to the meeting. These groups had signed the July Charter. Not all parties attended the session. However, representatives from 15 parties came in person. One party sent its comments in writing. Another party informed that its representative was ill. This means 17 political parties participated in some way.
This meeting was the first formal step in the committee’s dialogue with different groups. Home Minister Ahmed said the committee will consult various sections of society. These include people who drafted the July Charter. Former judges, lawyers, and constitutional experts will also give their views. July activists, families of martyrs, and journalists will also be consulted.
The committee will use these ideas to implement the July National Charter. If new proposals come up that are not in the July Charter, they will be considered as recommendations. The committee will also include commitments from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) election manifesto. After this, the committee will submit its report to Parliament.
Mr. Ahmed said the committee wants to move quickly. He hopes to hold a meeting every week. All parties present at the meeting urged for the July Charter to be implemented as soon as possible. They believe that if the constitution is changed with everyone’s agreement, it will show the July Charter has been correctly followed. The committee will implement the July Charter exactly as signed, including any notes of disagreement.
Some journalists asked if the process was fair without parties like Jamaat-e-Islami. Home Minister Ahmed replied that 17 parties have joined the talks. He added that the committee is open to other parties. Any group can join the discussions, even if they are not registered or did not sign the July Charter. The committee will consider any written ideas they provide. Mr. Ahmed also clarified that not everyone present at the meeting was allied with the BNP. He noted that the main opposition has not said it will avoid the final vote when the bill comes to Parliament.
