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Published : 15 Oct 2025, 03:02 AM
The National Consensus Commission has finalised the July National Charter, covering 84 points of state reform, based on full consensus among 32 political parties and alliances on 17 key areas; on the remaining 67 points, some parties have lodged objections through notes of dissent.
On Tuesday evening, a letter signed by the commission’s Vice-Chairman Ali Riaz delivered the final July National Charter to 33 political parties and alliances.
Preparations are under way for a grand signing ceremony at the South Plaza of the parliament on Friday by the interim government.
Of the 84 reform points, 47 have been identified as requiring constitutional amendments, while the remaining 37 will be implemented through laws, ordinances, rules, and executive orders, according to the commission.
The 40-page Charter outlines the reform agenda following a detailed explanation of the commission’s activities and objectives.
It specifies the commitments of participating political parties and allocates space for signatures. Before enumerating the 84 points, the Charter includes a “Declaration of Consensus”, wherein parties pledge:
“Based on mutual consultations with the National Consensus Commission and participating political parties and alliances, we, representatives of participating parties and alliances, have reached consensus on structural, legal, and institutional changes concerning the current governance system, the Constitution, the electoral system, judiciary, public administration, policing, and anti-corruption measures. These issues, with some dissenting opinions, are incorporated into this National Charter.
“In homage to the anti-fascist democratic movements of the past 16 years and the 2024 July Uprising, we express deep respect for the martyrs and the injured, solidarity with those imprisoned, and gratitude to those who participated directly or indirectly. We hereby declare this Charter the ‘July National Charter 2025’.”
Key constitutional reforms include recognition of Bengali and other languages, Bangladesh citizenship, constitutional amendment procedures, repeal of criminal provisions related to nullification and suspension of the Constitution, and modifications to emergency powers.
The principles of state governance have been revised to emphasise equality, human dignity, social justice, religious freedom, and communal harmony.
Provisions on inter-community coexistence, expansion of fundamental rights, secret ballot presidential elections, clearly defined presidential powers, amendments to impeachment procedures, and involvement of plaintiffs or victims’ families in presidential pardon decisions have been included.
Under prime minister and caretaker government reforms, a single individual’s term as prime minister is capped at 10 years, who may not serve as party leader, and constitutional amendments define the formation, functioning, and tenure of caretaker governments.
While 30 parties and alliances agreed on term limits and caretaker formation, dissent remains on party leadership and various stages of caretaker governance.
Regarding bicameral legislation, 25 parties are in agreement, while five lodged notes of dissent. The Consensus Commission’s proposal on upper-house formation received agreement from 24 parties, with seven -- including the BNP -- registering dissent.
The Charter details upper-house responsibilities, election methods, member qualifications, women’s representation in parliament (set at 100), opposition party appointments for deputy speaker and committee chairpersons, reforms to Article 70, and parliamentary approval of international treaties. Temporary special committees are proposed to determine parliamentary seat boundaries after 10 years.
In the judiciary, reforms include appointment of the chief justice based on seniority among appellate judges, appointment of adequate Supreme Court judges, creation of an independent Judicial Appointment Commission enshrined in the Constitution, full judicial independence, decentralisation of the Supreme Court, strengthening of the Supreme Judicial Council, supervision of lower court judges by the Supreme Court, and establishment of a permanent attorney service.
Electoral reforms propose the formation of the Election Commission through a selection committee, with 30 parties in consensus. Administrative reforms include independent civil service commissions for general, education, and health appointments.
The Charter calls for audit independence, separation of the audit department from the accounts division, and legislation to enhance audit quality. Geographical and transportation considerations have led to proposals for two new administrative divisions: Cumilla and Faridpur.
Legal, regulatory, and executive reforms include amendments to parliamentary committee powers, boundary redefinition ahead of the 13th parliamentary elections, mandatory codes of conduct for judges and former justices, establishment of a separate Supreme Court secretariat, creation of an independent criminal investigation service, expansion of judicial personnel, transformation of the National Legal Aid Agency, asset disclosure for judges and staff, court management reforms, digitisation, and lawyer conduct regulations.
FORMATION OF INDEPENDENT POLICE COMMISSION
The July Charter says a “Police Commission” will be formed to ensure professionalism and accountability in the force, and to establish police services as people friendly. Thirty parties and coalitions have agreed to this proposal, without dissent.
The Charter outlines the commission’s purpose as follows:
• To ensure the police, as a law-enforcing agency, can perform duties lawfully, impartially and effectively.
• To resolve complaints raised against any member of the force.
• To address complaints brought by citizens against members of the force.
The Charter recommends that the commission be constituted by a law passed by the parliament, and suggests the following appointment criteria:
• Chairman: A retired Appellate Division judge, not over 75 years of age.
• Member secretary: A retired police officer no lower than additional inspector general rank, not over 62 years of age.
• A representative of the leader of the house in parliament, who must be an MP.
• A representative of the Leader of the opposition in parliament, who must be an MP.
• A representative of the speaker of parliament, who must be a MP.
• A representative of the deputy speaker of parliament (if from the opposition), who must be an MP.
• A retired government officer of at least secretary rank, ideally with district magistrate experience.
• A retired judicial officer of at least district judge rank or a practising lawyer listed in the Supreme Court High Court Division, with at least 15 years’ practice.
• A human rights activist registered in a national or international NGO, with at least 10 years’ experience.
• The commission should include at least two women members. The chairman and member secretary will be full-time; the remaining seven members will serve without remuneration, though they may receive allowances or honoraria as provided by law.
The Charter further recommends that law determine the powers, duties, responsibilities, rights of resignation and removal for the chairman, member secretary and other members.
Decisions on policy and executive actions should require majority support of the commission’s membership, it says.
Some recommended responsibilities and jurisdictions of the commission include:
• Determining gravity of offences when police members are implicated in unlawful or extra‑legal acts, and issuing guidance on appropriate punishments.
• Protecting regular police operations from undue interference or influence through directives.
• Receiving and investigating citizen complaints against police personnel and ordering lawful action.
• Accepting complaints against individuals or groups who pressurise police for illegal actions.
• Identifying legal gaps in existing police laws and regulations and initiating reform programmes.
• Investigating police agencies (e.g. CID, PBI) or, if necessary, directing judicial inquiry with governmental assistance.
• Enforcing that authorities comply with commission decisions and instructions.
7-POINT COMMITMENT
Finally, the July Charter includes a seven point commitment for political parties and alliances.
The pledge says: “Based on democratic values and national consensus, and prioritising the will of the people expressed during the 2024 July Uprising, we, the undersigned, pledge and declare that—
• The opportunities achieved through the continuous struggle to reclaim people’s rights and restore democracy, and the sacrifices, including countless lives and extensive losses during the July Uprising, will be fully implemented as a continuous process reflecting the aspirations of the people, based on consensus.
• Since the people are the owners of the state, their intentions constitute the highest law, and in a democratic system are generally expressed through political parties, all parties and alliances collectively accept the July National Charter 2025 as a reflection of the people’s will, and will integrate it appropriately into the Constitution.
• No questions will be raised in any court regarding the validity or necessity of the July National Charter 2025; legal and constitutional safeguards will be ensured at every stage of its implementation.
• Recognise the historical significance of the people’s continuous 16-year struggle for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, particularly the unprecedented 2024 July Uprising, through constitutional and state recognition.
• Ensure justice for victims of enforced disappearance, killings, and torture during the 16-year “anti-fascist” democratic struggle prior to the mass uprising, and for all killings during the July-August 2024 events, provide state recognition to martyrs, support to families, and proper medical care and rehabilitation for the injured.
• Implement reforms recorded in the July National Charter 2025 concerning the overall state system, including the Constitution, election system, judiciary, public administration, police, and anti-corruption measures, through necessary amendments, additions, revisions, or new legislation, as well as modification or adoption of rules and regulations.
• All decisions agreed upon in the July National Charter 2025 that are immediately implementable will be executed by the interim government and other relevant authorities without delay and at the earliest possible time.”
