The Bangladesh Awami League has described the Ministry of Home Affairs’ recent directives, which prohibit law enforcement from arresting or filing cases against anyone involved in the July-August uprising, as an indemnity ordinance, similar to the one issued in 1975, when the killers of the country’s founding father and his family members were granted immunity.

The party underlined its commitment to pursuing everyone involved in human rights violations during that time period, claiming that the latest order, which allows impunity, is just another example of a motivated objective being pursued in the name of seeking justice for the victims—both the dead and the injured. This statement was posted to the party’s official Facebook page yesterday.

Pointing to the involvement of political actors and various groups in arson, killings, looting, communal attacks, and violence even after August 5, the Awami League said: “The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a notice stating that professional criminals and political thugs, who infiltrated the anti-discrimination movement, cannot be prosecuted, arrested, or harassed for any crimes.”

“This effectively grants immunity to those who have killed thousands of police officers, murdered thousands of Awami League leaders and activists, brutally attacked and maimed thousands of civilians—leaving many permanently disabled—and caused damage worth billions to public property. These criminals are now being given full indemnity for their wrongdoings,” the statement added.

Describing the order as akin to the indemnity ordinance granted to those involved in the 1975 massacre, the statement further said: “This is a clear repetition of the events following August 15, 1975. After the assassination of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Khandaker Mushtaq granted indemnity to the killers.”

Drawing parallels, the statement added: “Similarly, in 2024, after forcing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina into exile through murder, violence, and arson, and after the killing of thousands of people, Dr Yunus and his council have unconstitutionally seized power. Now, they are trying to protect the murderers, conspirators, and destroyers of the nation’s assets by granting them immunity from prosecution.”

The statement also highlighted: “Since July 15, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina formed a three-member Judicial Inquiry Committee to thoroughly investigate the killings, arson, and looting that took place. She had also called upon the United Nations for full cooperation, including the provision of advanced technology to assist in the investigation.”

Referring to the order as a manifestation of Dr Yunus’s intent to obstruct a fair trial, the Awami League stated: “After illegally assuming power, Dr. Yunus suspended the investigation initiated by the Judicial Inquiry Committee. The reason is clear—Yunus does not want the crimes committed between July and August to be investigated. He does not want the criminals to be identified or punished for their involvement in these atrocities.”

“While visiting the United States, Dr. Yunus publicly stated in global media that the July movement was part of a carefully orchestrated plan executed by a mastermind. This admission implies that all the killings during the movement were premeditated. Yunus seeks to protect those who participated in this killing spree, especially those responsible for the mass murders of thousands of civilians and police officers from August 5 onwards. By granting indemnity, Yunus has pardoned these criminals without any investigation or trial.”

The Awami League’s statement concluded: “Khandaker Mushtaq could not protect the killers of August 15 with indemnity. The people of Bangladesh restored democracy, and the national parliament revoked the indemnity law, bringing the killers of the Father of the Nation to justice. It will not be long before the freedom-loving people of Bangladesh once again restore democracy, revoke Yunus’s indemnity, and bring all the killers, looters, arsonists, and destroyers of the nation’s assets to justice on the soil of Bangladesh.”