An ordinance has been issued to preserve the history of the July uprising, ensure the welfare and rehabilitation of the families of martyrs and July warriors, and firmly establish the spirit and ideals of the uprising in the national and state spheres.
The ordinance, signed by Dr Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, secretary of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, was issued on Tuesday.
The ordinance states: “As the racially discriminatory, repressive, and unjust policies of the then Pakistan government, along with the indiscriminate genocide of the people of Bangladesh, made the Liberation War inevitable; and whereas in 1971, the people of Bangladesh took part in an armed struggle to establish equality, human dignity, and social justice, sacrificing hundreds of thousands of lives to achieve an independent state;
"As despite the people’s continued struggle and sacrifices, even after half a century of independence, the desired goal of establishing a just, dignified, democratic, and discrimination-free state has not been achieved;
"As since January 2009, under the fascist rule of the Awami League government, state institutions have been rendered ineffective due to partisanship, corruption, and dynastic politics; dissenting voices have been suppressed through unjust use of force, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings have occurred, economic inequality has deepened due to looting and capital flight, women and minority communities have become victims of structural violence, and the people's freedom of expression and voting rights have been snatched away—thereby endangering national interests and sovereignty and creating widespread public concern;
"Whereas in July 2024, under the leadership of an anti-discrimination student movement, the long-simmering public resentment—arising from 15 years of fascism and impunity—transformed into an unstoppable mass movement that culminated in a people’s uprising, which on August 5, 2024, compelled the fascist regime to flee the country, defeated by the people's power;
"As a vast number of men and women participated in this uprising, and across the country, thousands of unarmed patriotic students were martyred, countless others were severely injured or traumatically wounded, and most were devastated by brutality and terror—and it is essential to properly honor this sacrifice, preserving this historic struggle as a glorious chapter in the nation’s fight to reclaim democracy and rebuild the state;
"As the interim government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh is committed to recognizing, honoring, ensuring the welfare and rehabilitation of the martyrs and injured fighters of the July uprising;
"As it is appropriate and necessary to enact provisions for the welfare and rehabilitation of the families of those martyred and injured in the July uprising;
"As parliament stands dissolved, and the president is satisfied that circumstances exist which render immediate action necessary;
"Therefore, under the powers granted by Article 93(1) of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, the president hereby promulgates and issues this ordinance.”
