DHAKA: Trying to shield the democracies in the region from extra-constitutional takeovers, a two-day inter-government meeting for finalizing SAARC Charter of Democracy began here Saturday and progressed fast in processing the safeguards.

Foreign secretary Md. Mijarul Quayes told reporters after the 1st day of brainstorming that 80 percent draft of the charter was already finalized by the adjournment time.

Bangladesh got the responsibility to draft a charter of democracy at the 16th SAARC summit in Bhutan, Quayes informed.

According to the decision, Bangladesh sent the draft of the charter to the SAARC member-countries for comments, and now the draft is being finalized for placing at the foreign ministers’ meeting scheduled for this coming December.

“The draft would get the complete form at that meeting and would roll for action after being approved by the heads of state and government at the 17th SAARC summit next April,” the FS farther said.

According to a press note distributed to the reporters, the meeting is working to frame some policies by testing the feasibility of accepting democracy as an effective system in this region.

Military regimes or monarchies have reigned for long in most of the countries in the South Asian region—and now democracy in the form elected government takes roots in almost all.

Besides, the discussion includes how the government, pubic representatives and the people can strengthen the practice of democracy as well as how they can face the obstacles to achieving it.

In reply to a query, if the charter would include any trade sanctions rule on a country that tends to go for non-democratic system, Mijarul said that nothing could be said on this before the completion of the meeting.

He, however, said this sort of issues has been discussed at the meeting.

“This charter is not a treaty. But it will be implemented after the SAARC summit,” he added.

He informed that there was no disagreement on the draft proposal submitted by Bangladesh.

Representatives of all the SAARC countries are attending the meeting.

BDST: 2131 HRS. SEPTEMBER 04, 2010