TDS Desk:

The interim government on Thursday approved an ordinance granting immunity to participants in the July 2024 uprising, fulfilling a prior pledge. The advisory council endorsed the “July Mass Uprising Protection and Accountability Ordinance” at a meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus.

Law adviser Dr Asif Nazrul said the decision grants legal protection to those involved in protests during the July 2024 uprising, which sought to overthrow a fascist government and restore democratic rule. He announced the move at a press conference at the Foreign Service Academy after the council meeting.

“We had announced earlier that this was our commitment to the July uprising participants,” Nazrul said, adding that the ordinance would be enacted by a gazette notification within five to seven days. It provides immunity from criminal liability for actions undertaken as part of collective political resistance during the uprising.

The adviser said the government would move to withdraw any existing criminal cases linked to those activities. No new cases can be filed for actions taken in the course of political resistance during July and August 2024.

He further underlined, “If anyone, in the name of political resistance in July and August, committed murder for personal or narrow interests, they will not be exempted from criminal liability.” He added that the ordinance was not intended to shield those acting out of personal vengeance or greed.

The task of distinguishing politically motivated acts from personally motivated killings will rest with the National Human Rights Commission. The adviser clarified that families of victims who believe a killing was driven by personal gain, unrelated to the overthrow of the fascist government, may petition the commission

If the commission finds evidence of personal motive, it will investigate and submit a report. Such a report will carry the same legal weight as a police investigation report in court.