The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Nayeb-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher has said if the July Charter is not bound by a legal foundation, the party will file a compensation lawsuit against the National Consensus Commission (NCC) and the government.
The compensation will centre the time wasted if the Charter is not implemented.
He made the remark while speaking to journalists during the lunch break on the 23rd day of ongoing dialogues with the National Consensus Commission over key state reforms.
Zoom in: Highlighting the time spent during the dialogue with the National Census Committee, Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher said, "We've gone through all this effort, and you've [reporters] covered it, but unless it is materialised, all of it will amount to nothing. Even a pledge has no meaning without implementation. Hence, implementation is the key."
- He added, "Without a legal basis, this charter is a zero. We've clearly said we won't sign it without legal grounding. It must be enacted during this government's tenure. It can begin as early as tomorrow."
- Taher pointed out, "In the past 23 days, we've seen more 'notes of dissent' than in the previous 22 days. Still, this is part of a democratic process. Anyone can say 'no.' But only if the majority supports it, it gains legitimacy."
Zoom Out: The Jamaat's comment comes soon after the BNP touched upon the legal basis for the Charter.
- The interim government sent a draft of the July Charter to 35 political parties earlier this week.
- BNP expressed its support for giving the July Charter official state recognition yesterday, but opposed including it in the constitution.
- Saying the document was a binding social contract no one would defy, BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed on Wednesday, however, also said the National Parliament was the only place to implement this charter.
- The NCP demanded the agreed points in the dialogue be protected by a legal framework before the election, otherwise it would not accept the July Charter.
- Professor Ali Riaz, the vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission, has stressed the need to finalise at least the agreed points of the July Charter by 31 July.
- On Thursday, he said responsibility for implementing the July National Charter 2025 lies with the political leaders.
What Jamaat wants: Taher made it clear that no pledge has any meaning without implementation.
- Giving the Charter a legal foundation was entirely possible now as alternatives and precedents exist, he added.
- He pointed out that once the legal basis is granted, the upper chamber would be a "balance of authority", acting as a guide and controlling body.
- He emphasised, "The BNP says there's no legal basis for it. But we believe mere promises won't do. This charter will become worthless if there's no legal foundation. That's why we'll file a compensation lawsuit against both the Commission and the government."
- Taher also said most parties wanted the PR [proportional representation] system, and hoped for a positive outcome on the issue.
Final say: Jamaat says if the government does not move forward with implementation and fails to provide a legal foundation, the party will consider the reform process incomplete.
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