National Citizen Party to sign July Charter at Jamuna this evening
The July National Charter 2025 was signed on 17 October 2025, amid the boycott of several political parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP).
A delegation of the National Citizens Party (NCP), led by its Convenor Nahid Islam, will visit the Chief Adviser's residence Jamuna at 6pm today (16 February) to sign the July Charter.
NCP leader Yasir Arafat shared the information to media today. He said the delegation will also include Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar, Joint Convener Javed Rasin, Joint Convener Monira Sharmin, and Joint Member Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa.
The July National Charter 2025 was signed on 17 October 2025, amid the boycott of several political parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP).
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, members of National Consensus Commission and leaders of different political parties signed the charter at South Plaza of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban in Dhaka.
Besides NCP, the ceremony was also boycotted by the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), the Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad), the Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal (Marxist), and the Bangladesh Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad).
Meanwhile, Gonoforum attended the ceremony but didn't sign the charter, according to a Prothom Alo report.
On 25 October, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said the party will sign the July Charter only after the assurance of its implementation through an order and referendum.
"The signing of the July Charter was merely a formality. Its implementation will only be ensured through the issuance of an order and a referendum. The NCP will sign the charter only after getting such assurance, Akhter said while talking to reporters after a meeting with the National Consensus Commission.
The charter
The 40-page dossier outlines the political history of Bangladesh, covering the British colonial period, the historic Language Movement of 1952, the education movements of 1962, the autonomy movement of 1966, and the mass uprising of 1969.
It also recalls the 1970 general elections, the Liberation War of 1971, and the establishment of a one-party state through constitutional amendments in 1975.
The charter noted that "following various political developments, the country returned to democracy through the parliamentary elections of 1979, initiated by the reintroduction of a multi-party system in 1978. However, that democratic path was short-lived."
It further highlights that between 2009 and 2024, state institutions were dominated by autocratic practices favouring certain individuals, families, and groups.
The charter criticised the three consecutive controversial elections of 2014, 2018, and 2024, saying they undermined the electoral system, politicised the judiciary, law enforcement and public administration and facilitated corruption.
The charter also reflects on the persistent democratic movements of the last 16 years, including the road safety movement in 2018, the anti-quota movement, and the student-led anti-discrimination movement, culminating in the broad-based mass uprising against fascism in July 2024.
Finally, the charter contains a seven-point commitment, urging political party representatives to sign it and uphold the will of the people expressed in the July 2024 uprising, grounded in democratic principles and national consensus.
