Staff Correspondent:

The democratic and institutional weaknesses in the governance structure helped establish fascism in the country over the last 53 years, Prof Ali Riaz, vice-chairman of the National Consensus Commission, has said.

“Our goal is to prepare a universally acceptable national charter through discussion with everyone, which will pave a roadmap of future Bangladesh,” he made the remarks at the beginning of a discussion held between the commission and the Amjanata Party, at the LD Hall of the Parliament Complex in Dhaka on Thursday.

The countrymen have been enduring repressive and oppressive acts of the ousted fascist government for the last 16 years, he said, calling upon the people from all strata to remain alert to prevent the recurrence of the rule.

“It is time to build a new Bangladesh and the National Consensus Commission will work as a catalyst with the country’s political parties,” he said.

He said leaders of all political parties, civil society, students, and people from various sectors want a democratic country that upholds the spirit of the July-August mass upsurge.

“We are working so that our people never face challenges like abduction, enforced disappearances or extrajudicial killings,” he said during the meeting.