CA, political leaders sign July National Charter

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, as well as leaders of several political parties including BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami signed the much-awaited the July National Charter 2025.

The Chief Adviser signed the charter around 5:07pm at the July National Charter signing ceremony. The signing ceremony was held at the South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in the capital.

Amar Bangladesh (AB) Party, Gono Odhikar Parishad, Gono Songhoti Andolon, Nagorik Oikya, and members of the National Consensus Commission also signed the document. 

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus joined the ceremony at around  4:30pm and took his seat on the stage. Leaders of different political parties also joined the ceremony to sign the historic charter. The ceremony began in a festive manner with the Chief Adviser in the chair.

The 40-page dossier outlines the political history of Bangladesh, covering the British colonial period, the historic Language Movement of 1952, the education movements of 1962, the autonomy movement of 1966, and the mass uprising of 1969. 

It also recalls the 1970 general elections, the Liberation War of 1971, and the establishment of a one-party state through constitutional amendments in 1975.

The charter noted that "following various political developments, the country returned to democracy through the parliamentary elections of 1979, initiated by the reintroduction of a multi-party system in 1978. However, that democratic path was short-lived."

It further highlights that between 2009 and 2024, state institutions were dominated by autocratic practices favouring certain individuals, families, and groups.

The charter criticized the three consecutive controversial elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024, saying they undermined the electoral system, politicized the judiciary, law enforcement and public administration and facilitated corruption.

The charter also reflects on the persistent democratic movements of 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 broad-based mass uprising against fascism in July 2024.

Finally, the charter contains a seven-point commitment, urging political party representatives to sign it and uphold the will of the people expressed in the July 2024 uprising, grounded in democratic principles and national consensus.