July Charter: Consensus reached on 84 points, parties barred from court challenges

Vice-chair Riaz says the final text of the Charter reflects the views of all parties

The National Consensus Commission has finalised the draft of the July Charter, based on a seven-point pledge framework, stipulating that once signed, political parties will not challenge the accord in any court.

The final draft was sent to political parties on Thursday for signature.

The document notes consensus on 84 proposed amendments, including areas of dissent where differing views were documented.

Ali Riaz, vice-chair of the commission, said: “The final text of the July Charter reflects the views of all parties. It has been sent to political parties today for review and signature.”

Parties have been requested to submit the names of two representatives to the commission by 5pm on Sept 13 for signing. The Charter pledges that parties will ensure legal and constitutional protection at every stage of implementation.

While earlier drafts included specific legal obligations, the final draft now commits only to constitutional integration, saying the Charter will be incorporated fully “as a schedule or appropriately”, and signatories will not question its validity or necessity in court.

The pledge notes that the interim government will immediately implement actionable items.

Earlier drafts contained eight implementation commitments, guaranteeing that the provisions, policies, and decisions of the Charter would take precedence over conflicting constitutional or legal provisions.

This clause was introduced at the insistence of the Jamaat-e-Islami and the party formed with leaders of the July movement, the National Citizen Party, as the Charter’s legal foundation.

The BNP and several other parties opposed granting it constitutional primacy, resulting in the final draft limiting the integration to schedule form only.

The commission initially sent the draft to parties for comments until Aug 22. Following feedback, additional consultations were conducted to resolve dissenting opinions.

The final consensus incorporates the views of 33 parties and alliances, including the 12-party coalition. From Mar 20 to May 19, the commission held 44 meetings with 32 parties and alliances, supplemented by repeated consultations with select parties. Subsequently, 30 parties and alliances were engaged in a second round of discussions on 20 priority issues.

The resulting “July National Accord 2025” was unanimously adopted, accommodating minor dissenting opinions while representing a collective political consensus.

PLEDGES

The pledge for implementing the July National Charter states:

• Grounded in democratic values and national consensus, and prioritising the will of the people expressed during the July Uprising, we, the undersigned, commit to ensuring full implementation of the July National Charter 2025. This Charter, developed through a continuous process and adopted on the basis of consensus, reflects a new political settlement forged through the sacrifices, bloodshed, and tireless struggle of thousands during the 2024 July Uprising.

• The people are the owners of this state; their intentions constitute the supreme law and are expressed through democratic political representation. Accordingly, we, as political parties and alliances, have collectively accepted the July National Charter 2025 as a clear expression of the people’s will, and pledge to integrate it fully into the Constitution, either as a schedule or in an appropriate form.

• We will not question the validity or necessity of the July National Charter 2025 in any court; further, at every stage of its implementation, we will ensure legal and constitutional safeguards.

• We have reached consensus to recognise the historic significance of the people’s continuous 16-year struggle for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law -- including the unprecedented 2024 July Uprising -- through constitutional and state recognition.

• We jointly declare that justice will be ensured for individuals subjected to enforced disappearances, killings, and torture during the 16-year anti-fascist democratic struggle, as well as for all killings that occurred during the 2024 July–August movement. Martyrs will receive state recognition, families will be appropriately supported, and the injured will receive proper medical treatment and rehabilitation.

• All decisions recorded in the July National Charter 2025 concerning reforms of Bangladesh’s state system -- including the Constitution, judiciary, election system, public administration, police, and anti-corruption mechanisms -- will be implemented. Necessary constitutional amendments, revisions or additions, adjustments to existing laws, enactment of new laws, issuance or modification of regulations, and all other legal steps required for effective implementation will be undertaken.

• We unanimously agree that all decisions of the July National Charter 2025 deemed immediately actionable, based on consensus, will be implemented without delay by the interim government and other relevant authorities.