July Declaration identifies 1/11 as 'conspiratorial setup', slams AL-era elections
The declaration characterises the events of 11 January 2007, popularly known as “1/11”, as a conspiratorial disruption of democratic order.
Marking the first anniversary of the July uprising, Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus today (5 August) read out the much-anticipated July Declaration, outlining key historical contexts behind the country's democratic struggles, particularly pointing fingers at what it calls the "1/11 conspiracy" and the Awami League's grip on power.
The declaration characterises the events of 11 January 2007, popularly known as "1/11", as a conspiratorial disruption of democratic order. "Whereas, the democratic way of regime change was disrupted through domestic and external intrigues, thus laying the way in Bangladesh for the paramount power, domination and fascism of Sheikh Hasina through the conspiratorial arrangement of so-called 1/11," the document stated.
The declaration further reflects on the post-independence era, pointing to the establishment of BAKSAL — a one-party system — by the Awami League government. "Whereas, the post-independence Awami League government established constitutionally a one-party government named BAKSAL in place of a democratic order, the much aspired goal of independence, and thereby took away the freedom of expression and of the judiciary," it reads.
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It recalls that this suppression led to a backlash. "In reaction to which, on 7 November 1975, there was an uprising in the army ranks and file joined by common people, and later the way was laid for reintroducing multi-party democracy, freedom of expression and of the judiciary in place of the BAKSAL system."
The declaration also criticises the last three national elections held under the Awami League's region. "Whereas, the Awami League government held three farcical elections (the National Assembly elections of 2014, 2018 and 2024) in order to continue to cling to power illegally, thereby depriving the people of this country from exercising their right to vote and representation," it stated.
