July Declaration unveiled

The interim government on Tuesday presented the long-anticipated “July Declaration” to the nation, aimed at legitimising the 2024 mass uprising and establishing a society free from corruption and discrimination, in line with the aspirations of the younger generation.

The official proclamation of the uprising reaffirmed the state’s firm commitment to the swift trial of all crimes committed by the fascist Awami League government during its over-15-year regime, and recognising the martyrs of 2024 as national heroes.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, accompanied by senior leaders from major political parties, formally read out the 28-point “July Declaration”, which will be annexed to the schedule of the reformed constitution under the next elected government.

The Declaration was unveiled at a mass gathering as part of the programme titled “36 Days of July”, held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Bhaban in Dhaka. The daylong event was organised by the Ministry of Liberation War Affairs to mark one year since the mass uprising that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime.

The ceremony commenced at 5pm with the national anthem, followed by a minute of silence in memory of the martyrs of the 2024 mass uprising. A video documentary was also screened. BTV broadcast the event live.

Thousands of people attended the gathering despite inclement weather. Many chanted slogans demanding the finalisation of the “July Charter”, which remains pending.

As Prof Yunus read out the ‘July Declaration’, representatives from major political parties stood alongside him. Among them were: BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convenor Nahid Islam, Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) Ameer Mufti Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, AB Party Chairman Mujibur Rahman Bhuyan Manju, Gono Odhikar Parishad Chief Nurul Haque Nur, Nagorik Oikya Convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna, and Ganosamhati Andolon Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki.

Also present were BNP Standing Committee members Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Mirza Abbas, Nazrul Islam, and Salahuddin Ahmed; Jamaat’s Nayeb-e-Ameer Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher; NCP Member-Secretary Akhtar Hossain; Jatiya Gano Front Coordinator Tipu Bishwas; Secretary General of Khelafat Majlis Ahmad Abdul Quader; JSD leader Tania Rob; and Gono Forum leader Mizanur Rahman, among others.

Meanwhile, several left-leaning parties, including the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Basod), Basod (Marxist), Ganotantrik Biplobi Party, United Communist League of Bangladesh, and Socialist Movement of Bangladesh, boycotted the ceremony.

CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince stated, “The interim government wants to replace ‘the 24’ with ‘the 71’. That is why the National Consensus Commission (NCC) has proposed abolishing the four fundamental principles of the constitution. An attempt is being made to destroy the ideals of the Liberation War.”

Disagreement regarding the contents and effectiveness of the Declaration also persists among other parties, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.

Speaking to journalists following the reading, Jamaat’s senior leader Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher expressed disappointment, stating that his party would provide a detailed response following a central committee meeting.

He remarked, “We had expected the Declaration to be included in the preamble of the constitution and its implementation to begin from 5 August 2024, but there is no direction in this regard. There is no clear statement about the martyrs and the injured of the July Uprising. We had demanded gallantry titles, allowances, and other forms of state patronage for them—similar to what was awarded to the heroes of the 1971 war.”

Earlier that day, at a rally in the capital, Jamaat’s Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar stated that they would not accept the “July Declaration” if it failed to reflect the hopes and aspirations of the nation.

In contrast, the BNP, NCP, and several other parties welcomed the Declaration. BNP leader Salahuddin Ahmed confirmed that his party accepted the ‘July Declaration’. NCP Convener Nahid Islam commented, “We welcome the July Declaration. We will issue a formal response after reviewing it in detail, but we congratulate the initiative.”

The 28-point ‘July Declaration’ begins with language reminiscent of the preamble of the Constitution. It references the historic struggle against colonialism and the Pakistani regime, followed by the Liberation War after the Declaration of Independence on 26 March 1971.

One paragraph affirms that the 2024 mass uprising constituted a legitimate transition of power. The document envisions a discrimination-free country, while the more detailed “July Charter” –utlining state reforms based on dialogue with political parties—is expected to be announced later.

The Declaration also chronicles key historical events in Bangladesh, including the 1971 war, the uprising of November 1975, and the long-standing resistance against military dictator HM Ershad in the 1990s. It recognises the 7 November 1975 uprising and the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, enacted by the late President Ziaur Rahman’s administration in 1979.

Clause 2 of the Declaration reiterates that the ideals of equality, human dignity, and social justice inspired the Liberation War.

Clause 3 outlines the failure and misgovernance of the Awami League government in the post-independence era, as well as flaws and misuse within the 1972 constitutional framework.

Clause 4 addresses the establishment of one-party BAKSAL rule in 1975, and acknowledges its demise following a joint uprising by soldiers and civilians.

Another clause references HM Ershad’s military dictatorship, the 1990 mass uprising, and the restoration of democracy in 1991. The Declaration also speaks of the 1/11 regime, which it attributes to both domestic and international conspiracies.

A separate clause accuses the Awami League of attempting to establish a one-party fascist and anti-people system of governance over the past sixteen years. It also lists incidents of abduction, extrajudicial killing, suppression of free speech, and constitutional manipulation. The Declaration claims that under the Awami League, Bangladesh degenerated into a fascist, mafia-run, and failed state.

Clause 10 details widespread corruption, embezzlement, money laundering, and policies that harmed the environment, ecology, and climate. Clause 11 focuses on murders, abductions, and unlawful killings carried out during Sheikh Hasina’s administration.

The Declaration denounces the Awami League’s seizure of power through allegedly rigged elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024. It also documents the violent suppression of citizens during Hasina’s rule and states that the people rose in response to a call from Students Against Discrimination.

Two clauses define the interim government as one established with popular support and later legitimised by the Supreme Court. The Declaration commits to ensuring free and fair elections in Bangladesh’s future.

One clause states that the current interim government, led by Prof Muhammad Yunus, was formed on 8 August 2024 by the sovereign will of the people.

Previously, on 29 December last year, Students Against Discrimination and the National Citizen Committee – two key platforms behind the July Uprising—had publicly announced their intention to release the ‘July Declaration’ on 31 December.

The government intervened, stating that the Declaration would only be released following consultation with all political parties.