July Uprising: Ordinance grants immunity

The interim government has issued an ordinance granting legal protection to participants of the July Uprising, stipulating the withdrawal of all cases against them.

The “July Mass Uprising (Protection and Liability Determination) Ordinance”, issued on Monday, assigns the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) the responsibility to investigate allegations of murder against participants.

A gazette notification was issued by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Law Ministry on Sunday night in this regard after the president promulgated it.

The ordinance ensures withdrawal of all existing civil and criminal cases related to the uprising and bars the filing of any new cases against the participants.

In July and August 2024, students and other citizens took part in mass protests to overthrow a fascist regime and restore democracy, human rights and the rule of law which is recognised as July Uprising, the ordinance says.

During the uprising, participants were compelled to take necessary steps including self-defense to prevent arbitrary killings and armed attacks orchestrated by the fascist government and to restore public order, it said.

It stipulates that all civil or criminal cases, complaints, or proceedings filed against the participants for their involvement in the uprising will be withdrawn and no new legal action can be initiated.

If any case is filed, the public prosecutor or government-appointed lawyer may submit an application to the relevant court which will then halt all proceedings, effectively granting immediate acquittal to the accused.

The ordinance allows allegations of killings during the uprising to be investigated by the Human Rights Commission.

However, officials of institutions or law enforcement agencies involved cannot be assigned the investigation, it added.

Arrests during investigations require prior approval from the commission.

If investigations find the actions were part of political resistance, the commission may recommend government compensation to affected families but no legal case can be filed.

The government may frame rules as necessary to implement the ordinance.