The government has given final approval to the draft of the July Mass Uprising Protection and Liability Determination Ordinance 2026, granting legal immunity to participants of the 2024 July Uprising.
The decision was announced by Law Adviser Professor Dr Asif Nazrul after a Council of Advisers meeting chaired by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
The ordinance will be promulgated as law through a gazette notification within the next five to seven days, according to Prof Asif Nazrul, who briefed the media at Foreign Service Academy on Thursday afternoon.
The ordinance grants immunity from criminal responsibility to participants of the July and August 2024 uprising for acts carried out with the purpose of political resistance; defined as efforts to restore democratic governance and bring down the fascist government.
Prof Asif Nazrul clarified that the law does not provide protection for acts motivated by personal gain, revenge or narrow interests.
“Anyone committing murder for reasons unrelated to the political objectives of the uprising will remain criminally liable,” he stressed.
Human Rights Commission will be responsible for determining whether any act, including killings, falls under organised political resistance or personal motives. Victims’ families may approach the Commission if they believe a crime was motivated by personal interest.
If the Commission finds the killing was unrelated to political resistance, it will investigate and submit a report to the court, treated like a police investigation.
Acts confirmed as part of political resistance will be granted immunity, though the Commission may still recommend financial compensation to victims’ families if appropriate.
The ordinance covers activities carried out from 1 July to 31 August 2024, drawing historical precedent from post-Liberation War indemnity practices and international examples of protection for revolutionaries.
Prof Asif Nazrul also noted that National Human Rights Commission is expected to be formed by January 31, with the selection committee already holding its first meeting.
He expressed confidence that the upcoming Commission will be the strongest and most effective in Bangladesh’s history.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam and Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder were present at the briefing.
SH
