Dhaka: The much-awaited historic “July National Charter-2025” is set to be signed today, marking a significant moment in the political journey of Bangladesh. Chief Adviser and Chairman of the seven-member National Consensus Commission, Professor Muhammad Yunus, will preside over the signing ceremony, which will take place at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban around 4pm.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Chief Adviser convened an emergency meeting at the Foreign Service Academy on Wednesday evening to finalize preparations for the event. The meeting, attended by leaders of various political parties, was part of the last-minute arrangements leading up to the signing.
The July National Charter-2025, a 40-page document, has been distributed to political parties nationwide. It traces the political history of Bangladesh, beginning with the British colonial period, and includes pivotal events such as the Language Movement of 1952, the education movements of 1962, the autonomy movement of 1966, and the mass uprising of 1969. The charter also covers the 1970 general elections, the Liberation War of 1971, and the establishment of a one-party state through constitutional amendments in 1975.
The document notes that Bangladesh returned to democracy through the parliamentary elections of 1979, initiated by the reintroduction of a multi-party system in 1978. However, this democratic path was short-lived. It further highlights the period between 2009 and 2024, during which state institutions were dominated by autocratic practices that favored certain individuals, families, and groups.
The charter criticizes the three consecutive controversial elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024, stating that they undermined the electoral system, politicized the judiciary, and facilitated corruption within law enforcement and public administration. It also reflects on the persistent democratic movements over the last 16 years, including the road safety movement in 2018, the anti-quota movement, and the student-led anti-discrimination movement, culminating in the mass uprising against fascism in July 2024.
In its final section, the charter presents a seven-point commitment, urging political party representatives to endorse it and honor the will of the people as expressed in the July 2024 uprising, rooted in democratic principles and national consensus.