Ordinance issued granting immunity to July protesters

Special Correspondent

Dr. Yunus’ interim government has issued an ordinance granting immunity to the July protesters. As a result of this ordinance, all civil and criminal cases, complaints or proceedings filed against the protesters for participating in the July protests will be withdrawn in accordance with the prescribed provisions. In addition, any new cases, complaints or proceedings against them will be legally barred.

The Law Ministry’s press release stated that the ‘July Uprising (Protection and Determination of Liability) Ordinance, 2026’ was issued on January 25.

Earlier, on January 15, the draft of this ordinance was approved at the meeting of the Advisory Council held under the chairmanship of Chief Advisor Dr. Yunus.

The ordinance states that if any case, complaint or proceeding has been filed against the protesters due to their participation in the protest, the public prosecutor or any lawyer appointed by the government shall apply to the concerned court on the basis of this certificate. After the application, the court shall not take any further action in respect of that case or proceeding. It shall be deemed to be withdrawn and the accused shall be immediately discharged or acquitted as the case may be.

The ordinance states that despite this provision, if there is an allegation of killings committed against any protestor in July-August, it can be filed with the National Human Rights Commission and the commission will take steps to investigate the allegation.

However, in cases where the victim of the murder was working in an institution or force, the commission cannot assign the responsibility of the investigation to any current or former officer of that institution or force. If it is necessary to arrest or take the accused into custody during the investigation, the investigating officer shall first obtain the approval of the commission, citing reasonable grounds.

The ordinance further states that in cases where the investigation of the commission reveals that the alleged disorderly conduct was a criminal abuse, the commission shall submit a report to the court of competent jurisdiction. The court shall then consider the report as equivalent to a police report and take further action.

In addition, in cases where the investigation of the commission reveals that the alleged act was part of political resistance, the commission may, if it deems fit, order the government to pay compensation to the affected family. In such cases, no case can be filed in any court or any other legal proceedings can be taken in relation to the act.