DHAKA: The draft SAARC Charter of Democracy in South Asian countries was finalized Sunday, capping two days of inter-government meeting of the regional cooperation bloc in Dhaka.

“To shield the democracies in the region from extra-constitutional takeovers is a major recommendation laid down in the draft charter,” Foreign Secretary Md. Mijarul Quayes told reporters after the meeting.   

The charter includes the issues of upholding democratic values and institutionalization of democracy in the SAARC countries.

Besides, the draft 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 this political end.    

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

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

“This charter is not a treaty. But it will be implemented after the SAARC summit,” Mijarul told journalist Saturday.

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

Representatives of all the SAARC countries attended the two-day brainstorming over the ways of flourishing and keeping up democracy in the member-countries.

BDST: 1426 HRS. SEPTEMBER 05, 2010