Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has said all political parties have reached a consensus about an inclusive “July Declaration” recognising the contributions of all parties and forces that participated in the recent mass uprising.
Briefing reporters after the meeting in front of the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday, he also said a work plan would be chalked out soon regarding the formation of the July Declaration based on consensus.
“A consensus has been reached on the formulation of a declaration for the July mass uprising in the meeting. Everyone agreed that such a declaration is necessary, but many suggestions have been given in this regard,” the adviser said.
He said the major suggestions include ensuring everyone’s contributions are properly acknowledged in the declaration and that continuity is appropriately reflected.
Besides, Dr Asif said, a suggestion has also been made to clarify the political and legal nature of the declaration.
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“What has been emphasised as most important is that this declaration should be formulated based on consensus through more intensive discussions among all political parties, forces, students, the masses, and their various forums who were in favour of the July mass uprising,” the adviser said.
He said the participants in the meeting also agreed that as much time as necessary should be given to prepare the declaration. “But, efforts should be made to avoid unnecessary delays or wastage of time. Everyone is unanimous that the declaration should be prepared on the basis of intensive discussions.”
Dr Asif said everyone had expressed optimism that efforts to formulate the declaration based on consensus would be successful.
“Today's meeting ended with the hope that we will be able to formulate a narrative of unbreakable unity through which we could ensure the fall of a fascist and mass-killer regime of Sheikh Hasina during the mass uprising,” the adviser said.
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Replying to a question, he said almost all participants in the meeting agreed that the time needed to prepare a document based on unity and consensus should be taken. “There should be no rush and no unnecessary delays.”
Asif said some leaders had proposed that a committee be formed to conduct the discussions in an organised manner to formulate the declaration.
Responding to another question, the adviser said there was no division among political parties over the declaration, only differing opinions had emerged regarding the process for holding the discussions. “We welcome diverse opinions. We didn’t see any disunity among the parties… rather, it will be more conducive to stronger unity.”
“We’ll actively consider everyone's opinions carefully and decide on a course of action very quickly based on their suggestions,” he said.
Dr Asif said leaders of all political parties and forces involved in the July mass uprising, including BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Hefajat-e-Islam, Ganatantra Mancha, the Anti-Discrimination Movement, and the Jatiya Nagorik Committee, attended the meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yuns at the Foreign Service Academy.
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BNP Standing Committee member Salahuddin Ahmed and representatives of other political parties joined the nearly two-hour long meeting that began around 4:20pm.
Earlier, the interim government initiated the process of preparing a declaration on the July uprising, based on a national consensus.
