David Bergman: July Declaration unilaterally distorted Bangladesh’s history

BD Digest Desk

The ‘July Declaration’ read out by Dr. Yunus, the head of the interim government of Bangladesh, has generated widespread criticism and debate. An observer named David Bergman has described the declaration as highly one-sided and politically biased.

He believes that the declaration presents a biased history of the Awami League regime, which is planned to be incorporated into the country’s constitution. It also raises questions about the role of Dr. Yunus, who was recognized as a neutral and above-politics figure when he was appointed as the head of the interim government in August 2024.

According to Bergman, the July Declaration presents the Awami League’s rule (2009-2024) in a completely one-sided and negative light. The Awami League is described as “anti-people”, “autocratic”, “anti-human rights” and “corrupt”.

However, he noted that significant successes were also achieved during the Awami League’s rule in economic growth, women’s education, infrastructural development, and combating climate change, which were not mentioned in the declaration.

The declaration presents the Awami League’s rule from 1972-1975 as a one-party system, ignoring the post-war nation-building efforts. It also omits the assassination of Sheikh Mujib and 16 members of his family in 1975 and the subsequent military rule. The Ziaur Rahman rule from 1975-1982 is presented as a “military rebellion with the participation of the people”, which is a biased narrative in favor of the BNP.

Bergman also noted that the declaration referred to the 2007 ‘1/11’ incident as a “conspiratorial arrangement” that was the result of the military’s intervention to stop the BNP government’s attempts to rig the election. Furthermore, the Awami League’s rise to power in the 2008 elections was not mentioned, but was portrayed as the beginning of authoritarian rule.

While the declaration promises legal protection for students and the public who participated in the July-August 2024 movement, it also hints at granting impunity to those involved in the killing of Awami League leaders and activists and police members, which could pose problems for the rule of law.

Bergman believes that this declaration should have been brief and neutral.

He said it should have focused on the growing authoritarianism of the Awami League and the aspirations of the people, leaving aside other political history except the 1971 Liberation War. Dr. Yunus signing this declaration could be detrimental to his impartial image and could affect his reputation in the future.

This announcement and its criticism have sparked new debates about the political and constitutional future of Bangladesh.