Govt issues ordinance granting indemnity to July Uprising participants

The government has issued the ‘July Mass Uprising Protection and Liability Determination Ordinance 2026’, which is effective from 1 July 2024.

The ordinance aims to legally protect participants of the mass uprising held in July–August 2024 and to remove any cases filed against them.

A gazette notification was issued yesterday (25 January) by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

Students and citizens who participated in the July Mass Uprising, which began on 1 July 2024, have been designated as ‘Gono Abhutthankari’ in the ordinance.

The ordinance states that all civil and criminal cases filed against participants who staged the movement to restore democracy, human rights, and the rule of law – and to oust the fascist ruler – will be scrapped.

It also stipulates that any case or legal proceeding against July Uprising participants will be dismissed by the court immediately at the request of the public prosecutor.

Furthermore, the court will acquit the accused, and no fresh cases related to the uprising will be lodged in the future.

The ordinance clearly distinguishes between political resistance and criminal abuse of chaotic situations. It states that if any allegation of murder is made against uprising participants, the matter will be submitted to the Human Rights Commission.

If the commission finds that the act of killing was part of political resistance, no cases will be filed against the participant. However, the commission may instruct the government to provide compensation to the victims’ families.

If the commission determines that any killing was committed for personal gain or criminal motives rather than political resistance, it will submit a report to the relevant court, which will proceed with the case as it would for a police report.

The president promulgated the ordinance under the powers vested in him by Article 93(1) of the Constitution.

With the parliament currently dissolved, the ordinance ensures legal protection and calls for immediate action in light of the emerging situation.

The ordinance will take precedence over any other laws in the country.