The interim government has approved an ordinance granting legal immunity to participants of the student movement that led to the July–August uprising in 2024, aiming to protect those involved in what it has defined as “political resistance” against the then government.
The decision was taken on Thursday at a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
The ordinance, titled the “July Uprising Protection and Liability Determination Ordinance 2026,” seeks to exempt individuals from criminal liability for actions carried out between July 1 and August 31, 2024, as part of organised political resistance.
Law Adviser Asif Nazrul outlined the provisions of the ordinance at a press briefing held later in the afternoon at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
He said the term “political resistance,” as used in the ordinance, refers to collective activities organized with the objective of overthrowing what the government has described as a fascist regime and restoring democratic governance.
“All activities carried out for political resistance during July and August have been exempted from criminal liability,” Asif Nazrul said.
“This immunity applies only to actions undertaken during this specific two-month period.”
He further explained that criminal cases already filed against participants of the July uprising for actions linked to political resistance will be withdrawn by the government.
In addition, no new cases will be initiated for similar acts committed during that period.
However, the law adviser stressed that the immunity is not unconditional.
He said the protection applies strictly to collective political actions aimed at restoring democracy and does not cover crimes committed for personal gain, revenge or other individual motives.
According to the ordinance, the National Human Rights Commission will be responsible for determining whether an alleged offence was political or personal in nature.
Acts deemed personal will be subject to legal proceedings, while those found to be part of political resistance will qualify for immunity.
Responding to questions about the legality of the move, Asif Nazrul said there are both constitutional and historical precedents for such ordinances.
“Article 46 of the Constitution provides for this kind of protection,” he said.
“There are also similar examples globally. While someone may attempt to challenge the ordinance legally or maliciously, we believe such challenges will not ultimately succeed.”
He cited the example of post-independence Bangladesh, noting that a law enacted in 1972 granted immunity for actions taken during the Liberation War, though that protection was limited in scope and duration.
“In the case of the July uprising, we have clearly defined the timeframe and restricted the immunity strictly to the months of July and August,” he added.
The ordinance is expected to be a significant legal measure shaping how the July–August 2024 movement is addressed within Bangladesh’s judicial framework.