July charter is a contract between political parties, people: Ali Riaz

Special assistant to the chief adviser of the interim government, Professor Ali Riaz, said the July national charter is a contract between Bangladesh’s people and political parties. He said 30 political parties formulated the agendas through uninterrupted discussions over nine months, and the responsibility of implementing this agreement also lies with the political parties. It is not something imposed. The July charter will turn the dreams of countless martyrs into reality.

Ali Riaz made the remarks as chief guest at a roundtable discussion titled “Peaceful elections and prevention of violence: field-level experiences” on Wednesday. The event was organised by the research organisation Bangladesh Enterprise Institute at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka.

In the survey conducted in five districts, a total of 600 stakeholders, including 400 direct and 200 indirect participants, shared their opinions.

Addressing the programme, Ali Riaz said the mass uprising has delivered its verdict that justice must be established in Bangladesh and those responsible for wrongdoing must be brought to trial. He said the uprising has declared that no one will be able to establish fascism or feudal rule in Bangladesh again. A balance of power must be created and accountability ensured. The uprising has also ruled that people’s voting rights must be restored, which requires elections.

He added that if justice, reform and a new democratic political system are desired, there is no alternative to elections. The power of referendums, elections and constitutional reform lies solely with the people.

Ali Riaz said students and citizens sacrificed their lives to free the country from the grip of fascism and Bangladesh is now on the path of democratic transition. He said democracy must be strengthened further so that everyone feels they are owners of the state. He urged citizens to freely exercise their voting rights on February 12, to vote ‘yes’ in the referendum and to campaign in favour of ‘yes’, with the aim of building a prosperous, egalitarian, humane and dignity-based Bangladesh founded on justice.