6 reform commissions to submit reports by Dec 31: Law Adviser

"No talks with those involved in mass killings"

Dhaka, Sept 19 - Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Thursday said, the six reform commissions will place their reports to the government by December 31, reflecting on people’s desire and expectation as the government is committed to build a new Bangladesh.

“The commissions will start working from October 1. We expect the commissions will submit their reports by December 31,” he told reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the evening.

Based on the reports, the next phase of broad-based dialogue and consultation between the stakeholders that include political parties and professional bodies and the interim government will be held, Dr Asif added.

He said, there will be no discussion with those who were involved in mass killings and committed crimes against humanity and who are fleeing fearing the trials.

On September 11, Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in a televised speech marking the first month of the interim government announced the formation of six commissions headed by six eminent citizens to reform the Constitution and five key institutions.

The commissions are : 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 Mueed Chowdhury and Constitution Reform Commission headed by Distinguished Prof at Illinois State University Dr Ali Riaz.

SHUJAN-Citizens for Good Governance Secretary Badiul Alam Majumdar and Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Mahfuj Alam also spoke at the briefing.

“Our key focus is to work. It's a public service. We don't want repetition of what happened in the past,” said Badiul Alam, head of the Commission for reforming the Election Commission.

He said, they were under the authoritarian government over the last 15 years and people were deprived of their rights in many ways. “Today, we got broad ideas about our work and the government’s expectations.”

The reports, to be placed, will be made online to make sure that people’s opinions are reflected.

Mahfuj said, the institutions were destroyed in the last 15 years and there are more reforms  commissions’ proposals on the table.

Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretaries Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Apurba Jahangir were present.-UNB