NCP’s Nahid says failure to publish July Charter, Proclamation undermines interim govt’s authority

Nahid Islam, convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP), has warned that the interim government will forfeit its moral and political legitimacy to mark the anniversary of the July Uprising if it fails to publish the promised July Charter and Proclamation.

In a Facebook post on Monday afternoon, Nahid accused the government of repeatedly breaking their pledge to deliver both documents.

Expressing disappointment over two missed deadlines, the former advisor said the government could still release both by July or August if it acted “decisively”.

“If any political party tries to obstruct the consensus process for its own political gains, the government must not hesitate to go forward with the other parties and the public to fulfil this historic responsibility,” Nahid said.

He pointed out that the student leadership had originally intended to release the July Proclamation on Dec 31, but stepped back after the government insisted on a state-backed document produced in consultation with all political parties.

“At the time, the government had sought draft declarations from various parties and groups. The Anti-Discrimination Student Movement submitted its own version. The idea was to consolidate these into a single national document to be jointly announced.”

“But despite committing to this process twice, the government has failed to follow through. It hasn’t explained why, or where the process stalled,” he added.

Nahid demanded accountability and transparency from the government, saying: “We want this Proclamation to be issued as an official state document, with a binding commitment to eventually include it in the Constitution.”

The previous day, at a press conference at the NCP’s Banglamotor office, Nahid had accused the government of “failing to uphold its duty” by not issuing the July Charter.

In that announcement, he said students and citizens would publicly read out the July Proclamation on Aug 3, regardless of the government’s position. He was unveiling a 36-day programme to commemorate the first anniversary of the July Uprising.

In Monday’s Facebook post, Nahid defined the July Proclamation as a national document that would outline the historical context of the student-led uprising, honour the martyrs and wounded, and codify its goals of political protection and security.

“Eventually, it will carry legal and constitutional force.”

“But if the government continues to do nothing, we will not sit idle. We will publish our own manifesto and invite others to do the same. If all sides produce their versions, the government will have no choice but to accept the final, consolidated document.”

He added that the July Proclamation would be read on behalf of the families of the martyrs.

Turning to the July Charter, Nahid explained that it would serve as a political consensus document outlining the structural reforms required by the state and specifying proposed amendments to the Constitution.

“All parties would sign the July Charter. The mechanism for its implementation, whether by referendum, constituent assembly, or parliamentary amendment, has yet to be finalised,” he said.

“But whichever government comes next will be bound to continue implementing reforms in line with the July Charter.”

Calling for unity, Nahid urged all parties to make compromises and support the government in delivering both the Proclamation and the Charter by Aug 5, dubbed the “36^th of July.”

He concluded his post by welcoming citizens to join the NCP’s “July March,” which begins Tuesday.