Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Professor Ali Riaz on Wednesday said the July National Charter is an agreement between the people of Bangladesh and the country’s political parties.
“Thirty political parties formulated the agendas through uninterrupted discussions over a long nine-month period. Therefore, the responsibility of implementing this agreement also rests with the political parties, as it will turn the dreams of countless martyrs true,” he said.
Ali Riaz made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a roundtable discussion titled “Peaceful Elections and Prevention of Violence: In the Light of Field-Level Experience” organised by the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) at a Gulshan hotel in Dhaka.
He said the mass uprising has delivered a verdict that justice must be established in Bangladesh.
“Those who committed unlawful activities must be brought to justice. No one will be allowed to establish fascism or a feudal system in Bangladesh again. A balance of power must be created and accountability ensured. The people’s right to vote must be established, which requires elections,” he said.
He said if justice, reforms, and a new democratic political system are to be achieved, there is no alternative to elections.
The power over referendums, elections, and constitutional reforms lies entirely with the people, he said.
Ali Riaz said the country’s students and common masses have gained freedom from the grip of fascism at the cost of their lives.
“Now, Bangladesh is on the path of democratic transition. Democracy must be further strengthened so that everyone feels they are owners of this state,” he said.
Therefore, on 12 February, everyone must freely and independently exercise their voting rights and vote “yes” in the referendum, he said.
“Together with the people, we will build a prosperous, equity-based, humane, dignity-based, and just Bangladesh in the future. To establish that Bangladesh, each of you must campaign in favour of ‘yes’ on the 12th,” he said.
President of BEI and former ambassador M Humayun Kabir delivered the welcome address while former ambassador and Distinguished Fellow of the BEI Farooq Sobhan also spoke.
Deputy Director of the institute Chowdhury Samiul Haque presented the survey report.
