The historic “July National Charter 2025” was officially signed today by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus and political leaders at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. The signing ceremony began at 4:37 PM with the national anthem, followed by formal endorsements from the Chief Adviser and top party leaders.
Members of the Advisory Council, representatives of major political parties, and members of the National Consensus Commission were present at the ceremony. This Charter marks the culmination of months of nationwide political dialogue aimed at restructuring key state institutions under the interim government.
Following the interim government’s assumption of office in August last year, six major reform commissions were formed — on the Constitution, Election System, Public Administration, Anti-Corruption Commission, Police, and Judiciary. After multiple rounds of talks between the National Consensus Commission and political parties, 84 reform proposals were finalized. These have now been incorporated into the July Charter.
The final draft was distributed to political parties last Tuesday. All major parties, including BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon, and leftist platforms, joined the signing ceremony, marking a rare moment of political consensus in Bangladesh’s transitional period.
However, the event unfolded amid heightened tension outside Parliament. Earlier in the day, a group identifying themselves as “July Fighters”—injured protesters and families of the July Uprising—had staged a sit-in at the venue, demanding formal state recognition and rehabilitation.
Though National Consensus Commission Vice President Professor Ali Riaz assured protesters that their demands were incorporated in the revised fifth clause of the Charter, the demonstrators refused to withdraw. Police later intervened, leading to clashes, stone pelting, and scattered arson on Manik Mia Avenue.
Despite the unrest, the signing of the July Charter marks a significant political milestone, laying the foundation for structural reforms and a new social contract in post-uprising Bangladesh.
