New Ordinance to Protect July Uprising Participants

In a decisive step to safeguard the participants of the recent mass movement, the interim administration has set in motion the drafting of an ordinance to grant legal immunity to the “July Warriors.” This legislative initiative, which seeks to insulate student and civilian activists from criminal or civil liability, was formalised during a high-level Law and Order Committee session at the Ministry of Home Affairs. Presided over by Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the committee has officially requested the Ministry of Law to develop a draft that reflects the spirit of the indemnity previously granted to freedom fighters following the 1971 Liberation War.

The urgency for this legal shield was underscored by the recent detentions of activists Tahrima Jannat Suruvi and Mahdi Hasan, whose arrests raised concerns about the potential for judicial harassment against those who spearheaded the uprising. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul has maintained that the individuals who risked everything to dismantle the previous autocratic regime deserve absolute legal protection. To ensure the new ordinance is robust, the Ministry of Law is reviewing Article 46 of the Constitution alongside global precedents from the Arab Spring and other significant democratic transitions. This move directly addresses the demands of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, which had called for a formal guarantee that no participant would face legal repercussions for activities conducted between 1 July and 8 August 2024.

Parallel to these protective efforts, the government has signalled a zero-tolerance approach toward contemporary public disruption. Following the committee meeting, the Home Affairs Adviser warned that law enforcement would take immediate action against any road blockades or activities that cause public distress, asserting that no concessions would be made in the interest of maintaining order. Beyond the immunity ordinance, the council discussed vital national security objectives, including the recovery of looted arms, border management, and the progress of the investigation into the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. Officials confirmed that the chargesheet for the Hadi murder case is scheduled for submission on 7 January.

Summary of Targeted Legal Actions

Ultimately, this ordinance aims to codify the principles of the July Declaration, which sought to honour martyrs as national heroes and provide their families and fellow activists with enduring legal security. By aligning current legislation with historical precedents of national liberation, the interim government intends to provide a definitive resolution to the legal uncertainties currently facing the youth and workers who were central to the country’s political shift. Once the draft is finalised, it will undergo a final review by the advisory council to ensure it provides a comprehensive and unassailable shield for all revolution veterans.