In a landmark announcement, the July Declaration officially recognised all those martyred during last year’s student-led mass uprising against authoritarianism as “national heroes”.
Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, on the first anniversary of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s flight from power, publicly read out the “July Declaration” at 5:30pm on Tuesday. The declaration ceremony was attended by members of the interim cabinet and leaders from various political parties.
It pledged full legal protection for the families of the deceased, the wounded fighters, and all participants in the mass movement.
“This declaration,” stated the document, “is being issued as a reflection of the will of the victorious people of Bangladesh following the mass uprising of August 5, 2024.”
The July Declaration outlines the public aspiration to establish a society founded on the rule of law, human rights, and equality, free from corruption, exploitation, and injustice. It commits to enshrining these goals through necessary constitutional reforms by a future parliament elected in a free, fair, and timely national election.
Yunus further emphasised that the 2024 student-led uprising will receive formal state and constitutional recognition, adding that the July Declaration will be incorporated into the 4th schedule of the reformed constitution following the next general election.