Structural change of state apparatus needed to prevent loss of lives in future: Ali Riaz
The goal is to ensure no one falls victim to enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killings, an independent judiciary to protect citizens' rights, an accountable state where no prime minister or a person remains above the law or centralizes power, he added
Highlights
- Structural change in the state apparatus needed to prevent further bloodshed
- Political forces fighting against fascism wanted democracy only
- The state apparatus should be liable to people
- National Consensus Commission acting as a catalyst
Structural change in the state apparatus is needed so that our youth or the country's people do not have to lose their lives in a bid to secure their rights in the future, Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission Ali Riaz said today (8 May).
"Every political party and force fighting against fascism over the last 16 years has had one goal—to establish a democratic Bangladesh where there will be an independent judiciary to protect the rights of the citizens. They also want a state apparatus which will be liable to the people," Riaz said.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Riaz made the remarks during a dialogue between the commission and Bhasani Onushari Parishad at the LD Hall of the National Parliament Complex this morning.
"We all are trying to reach an agreement and devise a national charter which will provide a direction for Bangladesh in the future. The commission is being an intermediary to reach consensus with the political forces. The goal will be achieved after the political parties and the people reach unity," Riaz added.
Recalling the mass uprising in July, he said, "Millions of people took to the streets and many sacrificed their lives. That was a clear message to us—that in the future, no citizen or youth of Bangladesh should have to give their life on the streets just to establish their rights."
The goal is to ensure no one falls victim to enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killings, an independent judiciary to protect citizens' rights, an accountable state where no prime minister or a person remains above the law or centralizes power, he added.
"We are moving forward with that objective in mind," he added.
A 15-member delegation of Bhasani Onushari Parishad, including its Secretary General Abu Yusuf Selim, attended the dialogue.
Some members of the commission, including Justice Md Emdadul Haque and Badiul Alam Majumdar, were present at the dialogue.
Till now, the commission has received opinions on reform proposals from a total of 35 political parties, and have sit for dialogues with 27 of them.
