Constitution reforms depend on political consensus: Asif Nazrul

Dhaka, 8 Feb  – Law Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has said the Constitution Reform Commission did not provide any reform proposals to implement immediately in its final report as any decision regarding the Constitution would be taken based on a political consensus.

“It completely depends on the consensus to be built through negotiations of all political parties,” he told reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Saturday evening, referring to recommendations made by the Constitution Reform Commission.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were also present at the briefing.

The Law Adviser said any decision regarding reforms will be taken based on a consensus engaging with each political party.

The six commissions - the Electoral System Reform Commission headed by Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, the Police Administration Reform Commission headed by Sarfaraz Hossain, the Judiciary Reform Commission headed by Justice Shah Abu Naeem Mominur Rahman, Anti-Corruption Reform Commission headed by TIB’s Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Public Administration Reform Commission headed by Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury and Constitution Reform Commission headed by Distinguished Prof at Illinois State University Dr Ali Riaz – submitted their complete reports to the government on Saturday. .

Some of the immediate to-do list may require discussion with the political parties, said the Law Adviser, adding that there are some things that are so trivial that it can be done through an administrative order.

The full reports of the six reform commissions were published on the website of the Cabinet Division (https://cabinet.gov.bd/) on Saturday.

On February 6, the Law Adviser said the national consensus-building commission, led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, will hold its first dialogue with all political parties and forces in favour of the July Uprising over the reform initiatives in mid-February.

The Chief Adviser will chair the meeting, to be held at the Foreign Service Academy, where heads of the six reform commissions will remain present, Asif Nazrul said.