In a landmark move, Bangladesh’s interim government has vowed to recognize all those martyred during the July 2024 mass uprising as “National Heroes.” The July Declaration, unveiled on Tuesday by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, also promises legal protection for the families of the martyrs, injured participants, and all civilians involved in the uprising.
The announcement was made at the South Plaza of the National Parliament on the first anniversary of the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government.
Surrounded by key political leaders, Professor Yunus read aloud the July Declaration—an official document seen as a turning point in Bangladesh’s political transformation.
According to the declaration, dated August 5, 2024, and titled as a reflection of the people’s victory, “The people of Bangladesh hereby declare all martyrs of the July Uprising as National Heroes and pledge full legal protection to their families, injured fighters, and participating students and citizens.”
The declaration further commits to securing full state and constitutional recognition of the uprising. It affirms that the July Declaration will be incorporated into the amended constitution once an elected government assumes power following the upcoming general election.
The event began at 5:00 PM with the national anthem and a moment of silence in memory of the fallen. Sabrina Afroze Semonti, a family member of one of the martyrs, opened the program with a tribute.
The 28-point declaration outlines a broad historical narrative—starting from the deprivation under Pakistan’s 23-year rule, the disillusionment after independence, the 1990 people’s movement, the events of the 1/11 emergency in 2007, and human rights and constitutional violations during more than 15 years of Awami League rule.
Standing beside the Chief Adviser on stage were top political leaders, including BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar, NCP Convenor Nahid Islam, Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim, Nagorik Oikya’s Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Ganosamhati Andolan Coordinator Zonayed Saki, AB Party Chairman Mojibur Rahman Monju, National People’s Front leader Tipu Biswas, and Nurul Haque Nur of the Gono Adhikar Parishad.
Other prominent attendees included BNP Standing Committee members Mirza Abbas, Abdul Moyeen Khan, Nazrul Islam Khan, and Salahuddin Ahmed; Jamaat Naib-e-Ameer Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher and Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan; Nagorik Oikya General Secretary Shahidullah Kaiser; NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain; Khelafat Majlish Secretary General Ahmed Abdul Kader; JSD Vice President Tania Rob and Secretary General Shahid Uddin Mahmud Swapan; Gonoforum Secretary General Mizanur Rahman; and BLDP leader Shahadat Hossain Selim.
The declaration has been hailed as a foundational document for the next phase of Bangladesh’s democratic transition. Professor Yunus, in his closing remarks, called on all citizens to honor the martyrs not just with memory, but with meaningful participation in rebuilding a just and inclusive nation.
