Staff Reporter: The Bangladesh Awami League has been banned by the interim government. The decision was made during an emergency meeting held at 8 p.m. Saturday at the state guesthouse Jamuna, presided over by Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
Following the meeting, Dr. Asif Nazrul, Advisor to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, briefed the media at around 11 p.m.
At the briefing, Asif Nazrul stated that an amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act had been approved. Under the amendment, the International Crimes Tribunal is now authorized to prosecute and penalize any political party, its affiliates, or its supporters.
The Law Advisor explained that the meeting decided to ban all activities of the Awami League, including in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act until trials of the party and its leaders are completed at the International Crimes Tribunal. The ban is aimed at safeguarding the country’s security and sovereignty, protecting members of the July Movement, and ensuring the safety of plaintiffs and witnesses involved in the tribunal proceedings.
He added that a formal circular regarding this decision will be issued on the next working day. The Advisory Council also resolved that the July Declaration will be finalized and published within the next 30 working days.
Previously, on October 23, 2024, the interim government had banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, via a notification from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The organization was banned on charges of murder, torture, extortion, rape, and public safety violations.
Calls to ban the Chhatra League began following the fall of the Awami League government during the mass student and public uprising on August 5. The final decision to ban the organization came in response to demands from the anti-discrimination student movement and various groups including the National Citizens’ Committee.
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BP/SM
