On the first anniversary of Sheikh Hasina's dramatic resignation and departure, Professor Muhammad Yunus, now serving as the Chief Advisor, read the historic July Declaration at 5 PM on Tuesday at the South Plaza of the National Parliament. This declaration, rich in historical reflection and political resolve, outlines the struggles, triumphs, and aspirations of a nation seeking to rebuild from the ruins of authoritarian rule.

The declaration begins by recalling the legacy of anti-colonial resistance that culminated in the 1971 Liberation War. It reaffirms the people's long-standing desire for justice, dignity, and democratic governance—a vision first articulated during the country’s birth but, as the declaration claims, long betrayed by successive regimes.

A major focus of the declaration is the failure of the post-independence Awami League government to fulfill the promises of the Liberation War. It critiques the one-party rule established under BAKSAL, alleging that this deviation from democratic principles triggered the 1975 soldier-public uprising. That event, in the declaration's view, laid the foundation for the return to multiparty democracy.

It further recounts the popular uprising of 1990 that ended military rule and restored parliamentary democracy in 1991. However, the declaration argues that democratic progress was later derailed by conspiracies—both domestic and foreign—that enabled Sheikh Hasina’s consolidation of authoritarian power, especially following the 1/11 political crisis.

According to the document, the past sixteen years under Hasina’s leadership were marked by constitutional manipulation, rampant corruption, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the systematic suppression of dissent. These developments, it states, destroyed democratic institutions and steered the country toward a failed, mafia-dominated state under the guise of development.

The declaration highlights the long struggle of opposition political parties, student organizations, and civil society actors who faced imprisonment, torture, and death in pursuit of justice and democracy. Special emphasis is placed on the anti-quota movement and anti-discrimination protests, which were met with severe repression. The events of July 2024, sparked by the brutal suppression of student protests, are portrayed as the tipping point for a nationwide revolt.

It details the wave of mass mobilization culminating in a historic long march to Dhaka on August 5, 2024. As public fury surged toward the official residence, the declaration recounts how Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee the country. The document recognizes this as a legitimate and internationally defensible expression of people’s sovereignty through popular uprising.

In the aftermath, the declaration states that the 12th National Parliament was dissolved, and on August 8, 2024, an interim government led by Professor Yunus was constitutionally formed under Article 106 with the Supreme Court’s guidance. The interim government’s mandate, as outlined in the declaration, includes democratic reforms, the restoration of rule of law, and the prosecution of crimes committed under the previous regime—including enforced disappearances, killings, and mass corruption.

The declaration also announces that all martyrs of the July Uprising will be honored as national heroes, and injured protestors will receive legal protection and support. It reflects a collective desire for a value-based, corruption-free democratic state that ensures human rights, equity, and participatory governance.

Looking ahead, the people of Bangladesh, through this declaration, call for the inclusion of the July Declaration in the upcoming constitution to be adopted by the next elected government. It also emphasizes the urgent need to hold a free, fair, and inclusive national election that reflects the true will of the people.

Finally, the document underscores a vision for sustainable and inclusive development that safeguards the environment, biodiversity, and future generations—closing with the pledge that the July Uprising of 2024 will receive full constitutional and historical recognition as a turning point in the nation's political journey.

In marking the first anniversary of Hasina’s fall, the July Declaration stands not only as a reflection of past sacrifices but also as a roadmap for a renewed, democratic, and just Bangladesh.