[🇧🇩] Consensus Commission.

[Saif]

undefined | The Financial Express

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Consensus Commission resumes talks with parties on reforms Saturday
UNB
Published :
Apr 11, 2025 21:03
Updated :
Apr 11, 2025 21:03

As part of the series of talks with political parties, the National Consensus Commission is going to sit in separate discussions with Bangladesh Jasod and Zaker Party on Saturday over the reform recommendations.

The talks with Jasod will be held at 10:00 am, while that with Zaker Party at 3:00 pm at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex, said a press release on Friday.

The Consensus Commission opened the dialogues on March 20 last and already held talks with six political parties – Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Khelafat Majlish, Bangladesh Labour Party, Rastra Sangshaskar Andolan, Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party and Nagorik Oikya.

The commission has a plan to complete the first round of talks by the first week of May.

The Consensus Commission, spearheaded by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, started its work on February 15, 2025.

The commission identified the crucial recommendations made in the reports of five reform commissions – the constitution reform commission, the public administration reform commission, the electoral system reform commission, the judiciary reform commission and the ACC reform commission – to seek opinions from the political parties.

Later, the commission sent a set of recommendations in spreadsheet format to 38 political parties asking them to send their specific opinions on the important reform recommendations by March 13.

A total of 32 political parties, including BNP, Jamaat and NCP submitted their respective proposals to the Consensus Commission.​

 

[Saif]

undefined | The Financial Express

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BNP to attend talks with Consensus Commission Thursday
FE Online Desk
Published :
Apr 16, 2025 19:00
Updated :
Apr 16, 2025 19:00

The National Consensus Commission is set to hold talks with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) on Thursday morning as part of the series of dialogues with political parties to reach a national consensus over the state reform initiatives taken by the interim government.

The discussion will start at 10:30am at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital, reports UNB.

A five member delegation, led by BNP standing committee member and former speaker Barrister Jamiruddin Sircar, will attend the talks, said BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, a BNP delegation, led by its Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and expressed its dissatisfaction about the outcomes of the meeting as the Chief Adviser did not give them any specific deadline for the election.

“We are not happy at all, we have clearly said if the election is not held by December, the country’s political and social situation will deteriorate further, and it will be very difficult to bring under control,” Mirza Fakhrul told reporters emerging from the meeting with the Chief Adviser.

But Law Adviser Asif Nazrul at a press briefing said the government clarified its stance, saying the election would be held between December 2025 to June 2026.

“December to June does not mean that we will deliberately delay the elections till May. December to June means that we will hold elections as soon as possible after December… the elections will be held as soon as possible between December and June,” he said.

Noting that BNP is very positive over the reform recommendations of the National Consensus Commission, the party is going to sit with the consensus commission.

“We feel that the BNP is very sincere about reforms ... .they (BNP) agreed to most of the reform recommendations, and they have a long tradition of supporting reforms,” said Asif Nazrul.

On March 20 last, the National Consensus Commission opened its dialogues with political parties aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government. The commission has already held talks with 11 political parties.

The National Consensus Commission, formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, aims to establish a unified stance on critical reforms. Since its inception on February 15, 2025, the commission has been working to finalise recommendations for the state reform proposals.

In the initial phase, key recommendations from five reform commissions — covering constitutional, public administration, electoral system, judiciary, and anti-corruption reforms — were compiled and shared with 39 political parties for their feedback. To date, 34 parties have responded.

The National Consensus Commission is working to build national consensus over reform initiatives by mid-July next, by completing the first round of talks with political parties by the first week of May next and entering the second round of talks in the second week of May.​

 

[Saif]

Riaz urges unity to build new Bangladesh, prevent return of fascism

Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz on Saturday said everyone needs to work together to build a new Bangladesh so that fascism and repressive systems cannot return to Bangladesh. "Now our task is to work together to build a new Bangladesh, so that fascist rule does not

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Riaz urges unity to build new Bangladesh, prevent return of fascism
Published :
Apr 19, 2025 16:19
Updated :
Apr 19, 2025 16:19

Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Prof Ali Riaz on Saturday said everyone needs to work together to build a new Bangladesh so that fascism and repressive systems cannot return to Bangladesh.

"Now our task is to work together to build a new Bangladesh, so that fascist rule does not return to Bangladesh, Bangladesh's democratic institutions take a permanent shape and the rights of people are established. And so that we can eliminate disappearances, killings, extrajudicial killings and all forms of oppression,” he said.

Prof Riaz said this while delivering his speech at the talks with the National Citizen Party (NCP) held at the LD Hall of the Jatiya Sangsad Complex, UNB reports.

An eight-member NCP delegation led by its Convener Nahid Islam attended the dialogue at 10:30am with Prof Ali Riaz in the chair.

The National Consensus Commission arranged the talks as part of a series of dialogues with political parties to reach a national consensus over the state reform initiatives taken by the interim government.

Prof Riaz said the aspirations for democracy had been repeatedly undermined in Bangladesh. “We have witnessed how the victories achieved through democratic struggles have been trampled in various ways and how the state was brought under the control of one person and a system of governance was established,” he said.

Noting that if necessary, discussions with political parties will continue, he said, "We want to prepare a national charter that reflects the aspirations of the nation," he said.

Praising the NCP leaders for spearheading the July mass uprising, Prof Riaz said they fought fearlessly against prolonged fascist rule, risking their lives.

Their comrades even sacrificed their lives to defeat a fascist regime, he said.

“We are grateful to you. The nation will remember you as part of history. You have created a bright chapter in history,” said the Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission.

Consensus Commission members Safar Raj Hossain, Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar and Dr Iftekharuzzaman were present at the discussion moderated by Chief Adviser's Special Assistant Monir Haider.

On March 20 last, the National Consensus Commission opened its dialogues with political parties aiming to build a national consensus on the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government.

The commission has already held talks with 12 political parties.

The commission formed under the leadership of Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus aims to establish a unified stance on critical reforms.

Since its inception on February 15, 2025, the commission has been working to finalise recommendations for the state reform proposals.

In the initial phase, key recommendations from five reform commissions — covering constitutional, public administration, electoral system, judiciary, and anti-corruption reforms — were compiled and shared with 39 political parties for their feedback. To date, 34 parties have responded.

The National Consensus Commission is working to build national consensus over reform initiatives by mid-July next, by completing the first round of talks with political parties by the first week of May next and entering the second round of talks in the second week of May.​

 

[Saif]

BNP wants a person eligible again for PM post after a break

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) wants a person to be eligible again for prime minister post for next term after taking a break following serving in this position for two consecutive tenures. BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed told the media today that there is no rationale for narrowing the...

en.prothomalo.com

Meeting with Consensus Commission
BNP wants a person eligible again for PM post after a break

BSS Dhaka
Updated: 20 Apr 2025, 23: 09

BNP leaders in the meeting with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban Prothom Alo

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) wants a person to be eligible again for prime minister post for next term after taking a break following serving in this position for two consecutive tenures.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed told the media today that there is no rationale for narrowing the scope for a person to serve the country.

Salahuddin was talking to the media during the break of a meeting of his party with the National Consensus Commission at Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban’s LD Hall.

“BNP favors the reform proposal that a person can’t be prime minister for more than two consecutive terms. But the party wants a person to be qualified again for the position after taking a break,” he said.

A five-member BNP delegation is taking part in the meeting for the second day. Other members of the delegation are BNP’s Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan, BNP chairperson’s advisory council member Ismail Zabiullah and lawyer Ruhul Quddus Kajal and retired bureaucrat Moniruzzaman Khan.

“The issue is yet to be placed at the meeting but the party’s position is clear about this,” Salahuddin stressed.

The senior BNP leader also said, “If the people want to make a person the prime minister again after a break of two terms, that opportunity should not be narrowed. We have proposed to keep the issue open.”

He also differed with the proposal of the National Consensus Commission that a person cannot hold the office of the head of the government and ruling political party at the same time.

“We do not see the practice anywhere in the world that the same person cannot be the head of government and the party,” he said.

“In the UK, we see that the party chief assumes the office of the head of the government. This is a democratic practice,” he said.

Salahuddin laid importance on restoration of the Caretaker Government system and an independent Election Commission (EC) to hold all national elections.

BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed speaks with the media during a break in the meeting with the National Consensus Commission at the LD Hall of Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban BSS.

“If the EC can hold a free and fair election under a caretaker government then people will accept the elected persons as their representatives,” he said.

Replying to a question, the BNP leader said, BNP differs with the Reform Commission’s proposal for expanding the scope of fundamental rights.

“BNP wants the state to ensure fundamental rights of the people. Expanding its scope will burden the state’s economic expenditure. So, we want to keep those issues only which the state can afford,” he said, adding that all reforms should be made considering the state’s capacity to implement.

Salahuddin also said, BNP disagreed with the proposal of the Reform Commission to lower the minimum age for candidates to 21 years from existing 25 years.

Chairmen can be appointed from among the members of the opposition party for a few Parliamentary Standing Committees, but not all, he maintained.

Expressing BNP’s position against secularism and pluralism, the BNP leader said, “We have given an opinion against it.”

BNP wants to return to the situation before the 15th Amendment to the Constitution, he noted.

Salahuddin said BNP agrees to increase the number of women’s seats in parliament to 100 from existing 50. But the current status should exist until the next parliament is formed.

BNP agrees on the issue of access to the internet as a fundamental right of the people, Salahuddin said, the state has to ensure the fundamental rights of the people.

Stating that BNP does not agree with the theory of the National Constitutional Council (NCC), Salahuddin said, it will awfully reduce the power of the prime minister.

Nazrul Islam Khan said, “We want to cooperate with the commission sincerely. We have come close to the Consensus Commission on reforms on many issues except a few.”

“It is natural to have differences of opinion in a democracy as we don’t believe in BKSAL, where everyone was bound to agree on a predetermined issue,” he said.​

 

[Saif]

BNP endorses equality, human dignity, social justice

A Bangladesh Nationalist Party delegation on Tuesday participating in a state reform discussion with the National Consensus Commission said that the party agreed to equality, human dignity, and social justice as the fundamental principles of the constitution.

www.newagebd.net

BNP endorses equality, human dignity, social justice
Staff Correspondent 22 April, 2025, 12:54

A Bangladesh Nationalist Party delegation on Tuesday participating in a state reform discussion with the National Consensus Commission said that the party agreed to equality, human dignity, and social justice as the fundamental principles of the constitution.

The BNP also agreed to the Constitution Reform Commission-proposed exclusion of the constitution’s Articles 8, 9, 10 and 12. ‘However, we have recommended replacing them with the articles as per the Fifth Amendment,’ said BNP standing committee member Salahuddin Ahmed.

Salahudding led the BNP delegation to the third meeting with the NCC at the LD Auditorium of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital Dhaka. NCC vice-chair Ali Riaz presided over the meeting.

The Fifth Amendment by the second parliament in April 1979 adopted ‘absolute trust and faith in Almighty Allah’ in Article 8, redefined ‘socialism’ by ‘economic and social justice’ in Article 9 and replaced socialism and freedom from exploitation with local government promotion and women’s participation in Article 10 and Article 12 was excluded.

Although disagreeing to the reform commission-proposed ‘pluralism’ as one of the fundamental constitution principles, the BNP delegation recommended a sentence — ‘Bangladesh is a country of multiple ethnicities, multiple religions, multiple languages and multiple cultures where coexistence and proper dignity of all communities will be ensured’ to add to the fundamental principles part of the constitution.

The BNP delegation disagreed to the proposed decentralisation of the High Court. Salauhuddin said, ‘We have proposed the appointment of chief justice from among the top three senior judges of the Supreme Court, considering the ‘Doctrine of Necessity’, and a National Judicial Council, like the Supreme Judicial Council, to check corruption and misconduct in the local courts.’

After a prolonged discussion with the NCC, he said that his party agreed to a 505-member bicameral parliament but recommended the traditional electoral process for the 100 reserved seats for women.

Disagreeing to the reform commission’s relevant proposals, the BNP delegation recommended that a person may simultaneously hold the posts of prime minister, the parliament leader and the party chief.

They disagreed to the proposed electoral college method for electing the president and recommended that the president be elected by the members of the bicameral parliament, Salahuddin said.

Agreeing to the proposed interim government, the BNP delegation said in case the chief adviser dies or becomes disqualified, the next chief adviser may be chosen from among the advisory council.

Except for amending Articles 8, 48, 56 and 142 of the constitution, the BNP doesn’t think that a referendum is necessary when a two-thirds majority of the bicameral parliament approves any change in the constitution, Salahuddin said.

According to him, the BNP delegation strongly opposed the transformation of the Human Rights Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission as constitutional bodies.

‘However, we have proposed the enactment of a law for the establishment of a local government commission,’ Salahuddin said.

As part of participating in the state reform initiatives, the BNP delegation first sat in a dialogue with the NCC on April 17 and the second dialogue was held on April 20.

Responding to the NCC invitation for their opinions on the key reform proposals, the BNP provided its feedback on March 23.

Beginning on March 20, the NCC held dialogues on state reforms with at least 15 political parties till Tuesday.​