Bangladesh Political Parties Divided Over July National Charter 2025 as Signing Ceremony Approaches

The National Citizen Party (NCP) remains firm in its position despite Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's intervention.

Dhaka:

Bangladesh is preparing for a significant political milestone as numerous major political parties are set to sign the July National Charter 2025 on Friday. This document aims to establish consensus on the path toward democratic renewal in the country. However, several parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), have declined to endorse the document commissioned by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus. The NCP emerged from last year's tumultuous uprising that ended Sheikh Hasina's 15-year authoritarian rule.

The NCP has expressed concerns that the document, prepared by the National Consensus Commission—a seven-member body established by the Yunus government in February—lacks legal foundation. According to the party, supporting the charter would be meaningless without resolving critical implementation issues, including the status of reform proposals recommended by six reform commissions with dissenting opinions and the question of whether a referendum should be held to secure public approval.

Despite Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's last-minute intervention, the NCP remains steadfast. "NCP believes that this signing ceremony will not provide any legal foundation. It will remain confined only to formality. NCP has repeatedly emphasised the necessity of legal legitimacy. Without ensuring a legal foundation, such an event will turn into yet another one-sided document like the 'July Declaration,'" the party stated. Nevertheless, they indicated willingness to sign later if their concerns are addressed.

The commission has clarified that political parties not signing the document on Friday may do so at a later date, as some left-leaning parties have also announced they will wait for a revised draft before committing.

The signing ceremony is scheduled to take place at the National Parliament building's South Plaza on Friday evening.

Chief Adviser Yunus posted on X: "We call on all TV and online media to broadcast the July National Charter signing ceremony live. To every Bangladeshi — wherever you are, at home or on the move, in your shops, factories, fields, or playgrounds — tune in and be part of this historic moment! Despite our political, religious, or ethnic differences, we stand together as ONE UNITED NATION. This is our time to celebrate together — to feel the power of unity and to draw energy from this historic day of pride and hope!"

Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, Cultural Affairs Adviser of the Interim Government, described the event as a "journey toward a festive election." According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha (BSS), Farooki stated that two tasks will proceed simultaneously: "One is to demonstrate how the July Charter will change the nation's fate after its signing and to prepare communication materials, and the other is to ensure the journey toward a festive election."

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson and former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia and the party's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman have been invited to the signing ceremony. The BNP, which was the main opposition during Sheikh Hasina's regime and is considered the frontrunner in the upcoming national elections, has agreed to sign the document. However, Tarique Rahman will not attend in person, and Khaleda Zia may miss the event due to health concerns, according to local reports.

The BNP has stated its opposition to holding a referendum before elections, countering the demand from Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, an Islamic hardline party, which has called for a referendum prior to elections to provide legal legitimacy to the 'July Charter'.