Govt committed to protecting July fighters under new ordinance: Home minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed on Monday said the government is committed to providing legal and constitutional protection for those involved in the July uprising as outlined in the July National Charter.

He told parliament that during the previous interim government, an ordinance titled the July War Protection Ordinance was issued and later presented in Parliament.

The current government has unanimously agreed to enact this ordinance as a formal bill.

Responding to criticism on social media, the home minister said that calls by what he described as the “Awami fascist group” for justice in past killings could potentially lead to legal challenges against freedom fighters for actions taken during the Liberation War, including the killing of Razakars, if such cases are filed.

Referring to the July mass uprising, he said people who attacked protesters “like occupying forces” and committed acts of violence faced public resistance.

Some lost their lives and others were injured during these confrontations which he described as decisions made “on the battlefield.”

He reiterated that the ordinance provides protection for the July fighters.

“Specific cases related to killings by police have been filed. Some are being tried in the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) while others are under the general penal code. Investigations are ongoing, and several charge sheets have already been submitted,” the minister added.

The minister also said verdicts in two cases against Sheikh Hasina and some of her associates including a former home minister have already been delivered and these proceedings were broadcast live.

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The home minister said the judiciary will operate independently and the government will not interfere in legal proceedings.

He said these during the parliamentary question-answer session when NCP MP from Rangpur Akhter Hossain raised concerns over alleged police misconduct over the past 16 years.

He claimed some officers acted outside the law, particularly during July, participating in killings and torture on their own initiative.