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A group of academics, writers, lawyers, journalists, activists and civil society representatives on Saturday urged the government to establish an independent and representative Constitutional Reform Council within the 180-day timeframe stipulated in the July Charter, saying the mandate given by voters in the referendum must be honoured.
In a joint statement issued on behalf of “concerned citizens”, the signatories expressed deep concern over what they described as the government’s growing reluctance and uncertainty regarding the implementation of the public mandate for state and constitutional reforms.
They said the July Mass Uprising had generated a strong public aspiration for rebuilding the state, which was later reinforced through a national referendum in which 68.59 percent of valid voters supported state reforms.
According to the statement, the referendum result represented a clear expression of the people’s political will and should serve as the foundation for decisions on the country’s constitutional future.
“The people’s verdict must be reflected in the state’s fundamental decision-making process. Respecting that political will is one of the core principles of democratic governance,” the statement said.
The signatories argued that the referendum had further strengthened the commitment contained in the July Charter to establish a Constitutional Reform Council within 180 days. However, they alleged that instead of implementing that commitment, the government had recently presented various arguments that created uncertainty over both state reforms and the formation of the council. They said such uncertainty had become a matter of serious concern.
The statement also said conflicting positions taken by the government and opposition political parties on an issue of national importance such as constitutional reform were undesirable.
The group said it had carefully reviewed the arguments put forward by both sides and acknowledged that each had some valid points. However, it stressed that in a democratic state, the will of the people should ultimately prevail.
“We call upon the government to respect the aspirations of the July Mass Uprising and the verdict delivered through the referendum by establishing the Constitutional Reform Council within the stipulated timeframe,” the statement said.
While recognising the importance of parliamentary constitutional amendments, the signatories said the historic circumstances created by the July uprising required an effective pathway for broader constitutional transformation that reflects public expectations.
They also urged all democratic forces committed to the spirit of the Liberation War and the aspirations of the July movement to work together to advance reforms of the state, society and political system.
The statement put forward three key demands: the formation of an effective and representative Constitutional Reform Council within the 180-day period outlined in the July Charter; full implementation of the referendum verdict endorsing the July Charter; and advancing constitutional and state reforms above partisan interests to establish a just, democratic, humane and accountable welfare state based on the people’s political will.
The signatories also appealed to political parties, civil society organisations, professionals, students and citizens to remain united in safeguarding the referendum verdict, popular sovereignty and what they described as the achievements of the July Mass Uprising.
The joint statement was signed by 41 individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, including academics, lawyers, physicians, writers, journalists, researchers, political activists and representatives of civil society organisations.
The statement was issued by Naim Ahmad, Convener of the Justice and Democracy Party (JDP), on behalf of the concerned citizens.