Govt issues ordinance granting indemnity to July Warriors
Staff Reporter :
The government has promulgated the “July Mass Uprising Protection and Liability Determination Ordinance 2026,” with retrospective effect from 1 July 2024.
The ordinance is intended to provide legal immunity to individuals who took part in the mass uprising during July–August 2024 and to annul all cases filed against them.
A gazette notification announcing the ordinance was issued on Sunday by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.
Under the ordinance, students and citizens involved in the movement that began on 1 July 2024 have been officially designated as “Gono Abhutthankari” (participants of the mass uprising).
It declares that all civil and criminal cases lodged against those who joined the movement to restore democracy, human rights, and the rule of law—and to overthrow the fascist regime—shall be withdrawn.
The ordinance further provides that, upon application by the public prosecutor, courts must immediately dismiss all such cases, acquit the accused, and ensure that no new
cases connected to the uprising are filed in the future.
A clear distinction has been drawn between political resistance and criminal exploitation of disorder.
In cases where allegations of murder are brought against uprising participants, the matter will be referred to the National Human Rights Commission.
If the commission determines that a killing occurred as part of political resistance, no legal action will be initiated, though it may recommend compensation for the victims’ families.
Conversely, if the commission finds that the killing was driven by personal interest or criminal intent rather than political resistance, it will submit a report to the competent court, which will then proceed with the case as it would on the basis of a police report.
The ordinance was promulgated by the President under the authority granted by Article 93(1) of the Constitution.
With Parliament currently dissolved, the ordinance has been enacted to ensure immediate legal safeguards in response to the prevailing situation and will override all existing laws in the country.