Govt approves ordinance granting legal immunity to July uprising activists

The interim government has approved the 'July Mass Uprising Protection and Accountability Ordinance 2026' granting legal immunity to individuals who participated in the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in July and August 2024.

The Advisory Council gave the approval at a meeting held on Thursday, chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.

Briefing the media at the Foreign Service Academy after the meeting, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul explained that the ordinance provides immunity from criminal liability for all activities carried out between July 1 and August 31, 2024, as long as they were organised with the goal of restoring democratic governance through the overthrow of what he described as a fascist regime.

He said the government would withdraw all existing criminal cases filed against the participants of the July mass uprising for acts committed as part of political resistance and ensure that no new cases are filed for similar actions.

The law adviser, however, clarified that the immunity would not apply to crimes committed for personal revenge, greed or narrow self-interest, even if they occurred during the movement.

To ensure accountability, the ordinance grants the National Human Rights Commission the authority to determine whether an incident was politically motivated or driven by personal motives. Victims' families may seek redress through the Commission, whose findings will determine whether prosecution proceeds.

Asif Nazrul said the ordinance is constitutionally protected under Article 46 and has both domestic and international precedents.

He also cited the 1972 post-Liberation War immunity law as a historical example, noting that the current ordinance has specifically restricted the immunity period to July and August only.

The government has expressed confidence that any legal challenge to the ordinance would not withstand judicial scrutiny.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com