Thursday, 29 January, 2026
The interim government on Monday moved to formally close the legal chapter of Bangladesh’s July 2024 mass uprising by issuing an ordinance granting sweeping protection to those who took part in the revolt that brought down the Sheikh Hasina administration, ordering the withdrawal of all cases against participants and barring any future prosecution linked to the movement.
The “July Mass Uprising (Protection and Liability Determination) Ordinance” assigns the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) the authority to examine allegations of murder involving protesters, while shielding actions deemed part of “political resistance” from criminal liability. The ordinance takes immediate effect and applies retrospectively from 1 July 2024, a date that marks the early escalation of protests that would soon engulf the country.
According to United Nations estimates, nearly 1,400 people were killed during the student-led uprising and the violent crackdown that followed in July and August last year. Government records show that 44 police personnel also lost their lives during unrest that began with the quota reform movement and culminated in the collapse of the Awami League government.
The weeks of turmoil saw attacks on law enforcement, widespread vandalism and arson targeting government buildings, and paralysing street protests across major cities.
The ordinance mandates that all civil and criminal cases filed against participants in the July Uprising be withdrawn once the government certifies that the charges stemmed from involvement in the movement.
Upon such certification, public prosecutors are required to submit it to the relevant court, which must then halt proceedings and immediately release or acquit the accused. No new cases may be filed against participants under the ordinance’s provisions.
For allegations of murder, however, the ordinance draws a distinction. Complaints must be referred to the NHRC, which will arrange investigations subject to strict conditions.
No current or former official of any institution or force may be assigned to probe such cases without prior approval, and if the commission finds evidence of “criminal misuse during chaotic situations”, it will report to the competent court for further action. Such reports will carry the same legal weight as a police report.
At the same time, killings deemed part of political resistance are exempt from prosecution. The ordinance defines political resistance as actions undertaken to restore democratic governance by toppling a “fascist” ruler, while criminal misuse refers to acts committed for narrow personal interests unrelated to the uprising’s objectives.
In cases falling outside criminal liability, the government may instead provide compensation to affected families.
In justifying the measure, the interim government said the July–August 2024 uprising was a legitimate struggle to restore democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
It argued that participants are entitled to protection under Article 46 of the Constitution, stating that defensive and necessary measures were taken during the movement to counter state-directed killings and armed attacks and to maintain public order. The ordinance also addresses long-standing demands by protesters for immunity, even as the authorities continue to investigate alleged abuses by law enforcement during the unrest.
The July uprising began as a student protest against the reinstatement of a controversial public service quota system following a High Court ruling restoring quotas for descendants of freedom fighters. Initially centred on demands for merit-based recruitment, the movement rapidly expanded beyond university campuses as thousands of citizens joined mass rallies and “Bangla Blockade” actions, turning the protests into a nationwide challenge to the government.
Clashes with security forces intensified as curfews were imposed, internet services were restricted and thousands were arrested.
The killing of student activist Abu Sayed on 16 July became a defining moment, triggering further mobilisation and pushing the country towards a political breaking point. By 5 August 2024, sustained street pressure forced Sheikh Hasina to resign and leave the country, ending her long tenure and paving the way for an interim administration.
Since then, the July uprising has been commemorated as a watershed in Bangladesh’s political history. The new ordinance cements the state’s recognition of the movement as a defining act of political resistance, while reigniting debate over justice, accountability and how the violence of last summer should be remembered in the country’s democratic journey.
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The interim government on Monday moved to formally close the legal chapter of Bangladesh’s July 2024 mass uprising by issuing an ordinance granting sweeping protection to those who took part in the revolt that brought down the Sheikh Hasina administration, ordering the withdrawal of all cases against participants and barring any future prosecution linked to the movement.
The “July Mass Uprising (Protection and Liability Determination) Ordinance” assigns the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) the authority to examine allegations of murder involving protesters, while shielding actions deemed part of “political resistance” from criminal liability. The ordinance takes immediate effect and applies retrospectively from 1 July 2024, a date that marks the early escalation of protests that would soon engulf the country.
According to United Nations estimates, nearly 1,400 people were killed during the student-led uprising and the violent crackdown that followed in July and August last year. Government records show that 44 police personnel also lost their lives during unrest that began with the quota reform movement and culminated in the collapse of the Awami League government.
The weeks of turmoil saw attacks on law enforcement, widespread vandalism and arson targeting government buildings, and paralysing street protests across major cities.
The ordinance mandates that all civil and criminal cases filed against participants in the July Uprising be withdrawn once the government certifies that the charges stemmed from involvement in the movement.
Upon such certification, public prosecutors are required to submit it to the relevant court, which must then halt proceedings and immediately release or acquit the accused. No new cases may be filed against participants under the ordinance’s provisions.
For allegations of murder, however, the ordinance draws a distinction. Complaints must be referred to the NHRC, which will arrange investigations subject to strict conditions.
No current or former official of any institution or force may be assigned to probe such cases without prior approval, and if the commission finds evidence of “criminal misuse during chaotic situations”, it will report to the competent court for further action. Such reports will carry the same legal weight as a police report.
At the same time, killings deemed part of political resistance are exempt from prosecution. The ordinance defines political resistance as actions undertaken to restore democratic governance by toppling a “fascist” ruler, while criminal misuse refers to acts committed for narrow personal interests unrelated to the uprising’s objectives.
In cases falling outside criminal liability, the government may instead provide compensation to affected families.
In justifying the measure, the interim government said the July–August 2024 uprising was a legitimate struggle to restore democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
It argued that participants are entitled to protection under Article 46 of the Constitution, stating that defensive and necessary measures were taken during the movement to counter state-directed killings and armed attacks and to maintain public order. The ordinance also addresses long-standing demands by protesters for immunity, even as the authorities continue to investigate alleged abuses by law enforcement during the unrest.
The July uprising began as a student protest against the reinstatement of a controversial public service quota system following a High Court ruling restoring quotas for descendants of freedom fighters. Initially centred on demands for merit-based recruitment, the movement rapidly expanded beyond university campuses as thousands of citizens joined mass rallies and “Bangla Blockade” actions, turning the protests into a nationwide challenge to the government.
Clashes with security forces intensified as curfews were imposed, internet services were restricted and thousands were arrested.
The killing of student activist Abu Sayed on 16 July became a defining moment, triggering further mobilisation and pushing the country towards a political breaking point. By 5 August 2024, sustained street pressure forced Sheikh Hasina to resign and leave the country, ending her long tenure and paving the way for an interim administration.
Since then, the July uprising has been commemorated as a watershed in Bangladesh’s political history. The new ordinance cements the state’s recognition of the movement as a defining act of political resistance, while reigniting debate over justice, accountability and how the violence of last summer should be remembered in the country’s democratic journey.
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