What the draft of the July National Charter features
The National Consensus Commission has released the draft of the ‘July National Charter,’ developed through consultations with various political parties and alliances.
The draft has been shared with political parties for feedback and is presented in full below for public review.
Following the student-led uprising in Bangladesh during July-August 2024, a unique opportunity has emerged to rebuild a democratic state.
On this occasion, we, the undersigned representatives of political parties, alliances, and stakeholders, under the leadership of the National Consensus Commission, chaired by Chief Advisor to the interim government, Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, have reached a consensus through mutual discussions. This consensus aims to reform the constitution, electoral system, judiciary, public administration, police, and Anti-Corruption Commission, as outlined below:
1. Background
The aspiration to establish a democratic state rooted in equality, human dignity, and social justice, born during Bangladesh’s 1971 Liberation War, remains unfulfilled after 53 years. Democratic systems and culture have repeatedly faltered, with state institutions failing to establish sustainable foundations. Existing institutions have often been nominal, functioning weakly and subject to partisan influence, rendering them ineffective and unjust.
Since 2009, a single-party government progressively undermined democratic values, establishing an authoritarian regime marked by human rights abuses, enforced disappearances, murders, persecution, lawsuits, and attacks on political opponents and critics. The state apparatus was manipulated to serve individual and group interests, distorting the constitution through amendments, enacting repressive laws, dismantling the electoral system, politicizing the judiciary and public administration, and enabling widespread corruption.
In July-August 2024, a student-led anti-discrimination movement sparked an unprecedented mass uprising. Over 1,400 unarmed citizens, including children and women, were killed, and more than 20,000 were injured due to the ruling regime’s brutal response. Through the sacrifices and collective resistance of the people, the autocratic government was overthrown, creating a historic opportunity for state reform. This moment calls for comprehensive changes to the constitution, electoral system, judiciary, and governance to establish an accountable, transparent, and corruption-free system—a responsibility we all share.
2. Formation of Reform Commissions
Following the Supreme Court’s Appellate Division opinion on a presidential reference under Article 106 of the Constitution, the interim government, led by Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, assumed power on August 8, 2024, and initiated state reforms. On October 7, 2024, six reform commissions were established via notification: Constitutional Reform Commission, Electoral Reform Commission, Judiciary Reform Commission, Public Administration Reform Commission, Police Reform Commission, and Anti-Corruption Commission Reform Commission.
These commissions are tasked with submitting their recommendations to the government by January 31, 2025.
3. Formation of the National Consensus Commission
To advance reforms through national consensus, the interim government established the National Consensus Commission on February 12, 2025. The commission is chaired by the Chief Advisor, with the Head of the Constitutional Reform Commission as Vice-President, and includes heads of the Electoral, Public Administration, Police, and Anti-Corruption Reform Commissions, as well as a member of the Judiciary Reform Commission. The commission was later restructured to enhance its effectiveness.
The commission’s mandate is to engage with political parties and stakeholders to build consensus on the recommendations of the reform commissions, preparing for upcoming elections. With a six-month term, the commission decided to formulate the ‘July National Charter 2025’ to encapsulate the agreed-upon principles and recommendations.
4. Commission Activities
The National Consensus Commission began its work on February 15, 2025. By February 28, 2025, printed copies of the six reform commissions’ reports were distributed to all political parties. On March 5, 2025, 166 key recommendations from five commissions (excluding the Police Reform Commission) were shared with 38 political parties and alliances in spreadsheet form for feedback. These included 70 recommendations on constitutional reform, 27 on electoral reform, 23 on the judiciary, 26 on public administration, and 20 on the Anti-Corruption Commission. The Police Reform Commission’s recommendations, implementable through administrative decisions, were excluded from the spreadsheet. Recommendations from other commissions that could be quickly implemented were also submitted to the government.
Of the 38 parties and alliances, 35 provided feedback, many with detailed analyses. The commission held 44 meetings with 32 parties and alliances between March 20 and May 19, 2025, with multiple meetings for some parties to ensure productive discussions. A second round of consultations followed, focusing on 20 priority issues. Based on these discussions, the ‘July National Charter 2025’ was drafted.
We, the representatives of the participating political parties and alliances, have reached a consensus on structural, legal, and institutional reforms to the governance system—covering the constitution, judiciary, electoral system, public administration, police, and anti-corruption measures. In honor of the martyrs and injured of the July–August 2024 uprising, and in gratitude to all participants, we declare this document the ‘July National Charter 2025.’
5. Issues of Consensus
(To be added later)
(This section will include the issues agreed upon after the first and second phases of discussions.)
Commitment to Implement the July National Charter
1. We commit to fully implementing the ‘July National Charter 2025,’ formulated through extensive consultations and adopted as a reflection of the people’s aspirations, secured through the sacrifices of thousands during the 2024 uprising.
2. To enact the charter’s recommendations on the constitution, judiciary, electoral system, public administration, police, and anti-corruption system, we pledge to amend, revise, or draft new laws, rules, and regulations as necessary.
3. We commit to completing these reforms within two years of the formation of the government following the next national election, ensuring their sustainability.
4. All proposals in the charter will be implemented within two years of its adoption.
5. We guarantee legal and constitutional protection at every stage of the charter’s implementation.
6. We are determined to implement the ‘July National Charter 2025’ and secure its legal and constitutional backing.
7. We pledge to recognise the historical significance of the 2024 anti-discrimination movement and mass uprising in the Constitution.