Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said a bill will be passed in Parliament to provide legal and constitutional protection to the “July fighters” who took part in the student movement of July–August 2024.
He made the remarks while replying to questions from lawmakers Akhtar Hossain and Zainul Abdin Faruq during the question-answer session of the parliament.
“We are committed in the ‘July National Charter’ to granting indemnity to the July fighters. This is the fifth or sixth clause of our charter,” the minister said.
“In light of this commitment, the ‘July Fighters Protection Ordinance’ was promulgated during the tenure of the interim government. It has now been placed in Parliament along with 133 ordinances,” he added.
Salahuddin said a special parliamentary committee has been formed to scrutinize the ordinances and submit a report.
“Discussions on these will be held in the committee on the 20th. There has been consensus to present the July Fighters Protection Ordinance in the form of a bill in Parliament and pass it,” he said.
Referring to the mass uprising, the minister said those who “pounced on protesters like an invading force and carried out mass killings” faced public resistance.
“Some of them may have lost their lives. It was a battlefield. This ordinance has been issued to ensure protection for the July fighters. People across the country agree on this,” he said.
On the trial of police over killings during the student movement, Salahuddin said specific cases have been filed over various incidents.
“Some cases are under the ICT Act and some under general laws, and are currently before the courts. The process of investigation and submission of charge sheets is ongoing,” he said.
“Trials in several cases have already begun, and arrangements have been made to broadcast them live on television. Legal and judicial processes take some time,” he added.
Replying to a supplementary question from Zainul Abdin Farroque, the minister said those who carried out armed attacks during the July–August movement would face justice regardless of identity.
“Whether they wore police uniforms or were terrorists of Jubo League or Chhatra League—no matter which force’s uniform they wore—they are all criminals. Cases have been filed against them,” he said.
“If any case has not been filed against anyone, you will do so. Each case will be properly investigated, and the judiciary will deliver justice accordingly, InshaAllah,” he added.