[🇧🇩] Banning Awami League, Chhatra League and Jubo League

[Bilal9]

‘No place’ for Hasina’s ‘fascist’ party in Bangladesh's politics, Yunus tells FT

He says will not seek exiled leader’s extradition from India before domestic tribunal’s verdict

www.thedailystar.net

‘No place’ for Hasina’s ‘fascist’ party in Bangladesh's politics, Yunus tells FT
He says will not seek exiled leader’s extradition from India before domestic tribunal’s verdict

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File photo of Muhammad Yunus/Collected

Dr Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim leader, has accused the political party of ousted authoritarian leader Sheikh Hasina of exhibiting "all the characteristics of fascism".

It has "no place" for now in the country's politics, Yunus said in an interview with the Financial Times published today.

"In the short run, definitely she has no place — the Awami League doesn't have a place — in Bangladesh," the newspaper quoted 84-year-old Nobel peace laureate as saying.

"They controlled the people, they controlled the [political] machinery, they controlled the institutions to enhance their interest," he said in the interview.

"No fascist party should be in existence in a democratic system," Yunus said.

Yunus told the UK-based Financial Times that the interim government would not immediately seek the extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India.

FT reported that Yunus said his government would seek Sheikh Hasina's return after a verdict had been reached by the International Crimes Tribunal, which issued an arrest warrant against her and 45 others earlier in October.

"She is charged with crimes against humanity . . . when the verdict comes out, we'll try to get her back through the extradition treaty" with India, he said. "I don't think we have a case to do that before a verdict is done."

Political rivals and human rights groups have accused the Awami League of rigging recent elections, carrying out extrajudicial killings, and capturing state institutions during Sheikh Hasina's more than 15-year rule, the report said.

Since her flight, Bangladeshis have been debating whether the party should be temporarily suspended from politics, required to reform, or banned entirely, FT report stated.

Yunus speculated during the interview that the Awami League might disintegrate, but stressed that its fate would not be decided by his interim administration as it was "not a political government".

Any decision on whether Awami League could participate in a future election would be decided by a "consensus" of political parties themselves, he said. "They have to decide their political space."​

It is clear that India will not hand over Hasina to Bangladesh, they are playing a game on this. I think ultimately - Hasina (and her party cohorts) will face an ICC verdict and will be forced to attend a trial at the ICC. If she refuses, she as well as the cohorts will remain marked criminals - forever on the run from country to country.

 

[Saif]

It is clear that India will not hand over Hasina to Bangladesh, they are playing a game on this. I think ultimately - Hasina (and her party cohorts) will face an ICC verdict and will be forced to attend a trial at the ICC. If she refuses, she as well as the cohorts will remain marked criminals - forever on the run from country to country.

Criminal Hasina should be hanged and Awami League should be banned for ever. No place for fascist Hasina and Awami League in new Bangladesh. Period.

 

[Saif]

Well the news outlet Prothom Alo is always a diehard Awami League supporter - and continues to be so. Being that there is no Media ban nowadays and dissent is allowed, they can keep harping on and whitewashing AL crimes (like here, with all the hand-wringing and whining, casting doubts on the legality of banning AL), but people will keep rejecting dailies like Prothom Alo and Daily Star, letting them die a natural death.

The interim government should boot out the current management of Prothom Alo and Daily Star and install new management for these dailies by an executive order.

 

[Saif]

Hefazat-e-Islam calls for ban on AL following UN report

Hefazat-e-Islam today demanded that the interim government ban the Awami League following the release of a report by the United Nations fact-finding mission.

www.thedailystar.net

Hefazat-e-Islam calls for ban on AL following UN report

Hefazat-e-Islam today demanded that the interim government ban the Awami League following the release of a report by the United Nations fact-finding mission.

Hefazat Ameer Muhibbullah Babunagari and Secretary General Sajedur Rahman made this demand in a joint statement.

They claimed that the detailed investigative report by the United Nations Human Rights Office on last year's mass uprising revealed horrific crimes against humanity committed by the "fascist" Hasina and her accomplices, supported by substantial evidence.

Under Hasina's planning and directives, her loyal forces have gone to extreme lengths of brutality, including enforced disappearances, killings, and torture, they said.


The Hefazat leaders further stated that the Awami League must be banned at the state level for its involvement in the Pilkhana massacre, enforced disappearances, killings, and the May 5 and 24 massacres.

"Otherwise, Awami fascism will not allow the government and people of this country to live in peace for even a moment," the statement quoted them as saying.

They also accused the Awami League of actively spreading division and discord among the parties supporting the mass uprising.


The Hefazat leaders also asserted that India continues to behave like an enemy state, unable to accept the new Bangladesh that emerged after Hasina's fall. Instead, under India's shelter, Hasina is being given the opportunity to orchestrate one conspiracy after another. Therefore, they called for the swift trial of Hasina for enforced disappearances and massacres.

"At the same time, her identified loyalists within various forces must also be brought to justice quickly," the statement concluded.​

 

[Saif]

AL, allies should be banned for aiding Hasina

Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of Jatiya Nagorik Committee, yesterday said if Sheikh Hasina was the mastermind behind the July killings, then the Awami League and its associate bodies should also be banned for aiding her in committing the crimes.

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AL, allies should be banned for aiding Hasina

Sarjis Alam, chief organiser of Jatiya Nagorik Committee, yesterday said if Sheikh Hasina was the mastermind behind the July killings, then the Awami League and its associate bodies should also be banned for aiding her in committing the crimes.

He said there is a difference between AL as a party, Hasina as an individual, and the voters.

"We cannot hold voters accountable for the crimes of the party. However, the registration of the Awami League as a political party must be completely revoked," he said while speaking to journalists after a dialogue hosted by the Jatiya Nagorik Committee at the BIISS auditorium.

He said there might be 25 to 30 percent of people in the country who were "silent" voters of Awami League.

"Among them, those involved in wrongdoing, abuse of power, murder, enforced disappearances, or similar crimes should be held accountable. They should not have the right to engage in politics in Bangladesh," he added.

Regarding those voters who were not involved in any wrongdoing, he said their fate should be decided by the people, especially if they seek forgiveness for the crimes committed by Hasina and AL.

Sarjis said they expect to announce their new party within the next week. Regarding AL's hartal (strike) programme, Sarjis said, "It is irrelevant to discuss the strike of a party that no longer exists."​

 

[Saif]

AL must be eradicated, not just banned

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain yesterday said the Awami League must be eradicated politically and ideologically from Bangladesh.

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AL must be eradicated, not just banned
Says Adviser Asif Mahmud

Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan. File photo

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain yesterday said the Awami League must be eradicated politically and ideologically from Bangladesh.

He said this must be done through a ban following legal and social processes, such as a truth commission or precedents from other countries.

"The Awami League should not only be banned but also politically eradicated from Bangladesh. This is my personal stance. Now, discussion may take place on how it will be implemented. There are precedents of this in various countries," he wrote in a Facebook post yesterday.

"I have seen my brothers martyred by their [AL men] firing before my eyes. I have been a victim of disappearance; I have seen death up close. It is impossible to even think of the political rehabilitation of Awami League," Asif stated.
He also clarified the statement he made yesterday on allowing AL men to participate in polls.

"As I did not elaborate... my statement may not have been conveyed clearly. Some media outlets have also presented my statement differently. Here [in the statement], it was not said to allow Awami League to participate in elections. That question is irrelevant before a trial," he said.

The adviser also emphasised the need for finding a permanent solution to this issue.

"If we don't do so, the Awami League will find a way to return to power today or tomorrow. The Awami League had banned Jamaat-e-Islami, but did that stop Jamaat's politics?"

Asif called for an "integrated process" to ensure AL's eradication, noting that the party still has a large number of beneficiaries.

He also said many who had some connection or other with AL ask why they should apologise if they have done nothing wrong. "Of course, they must apologise for their involvement with Awami League 'as a fascist enabler or a beneficiary' in any given form. This process must be completed transparently and in phases."​

 

[Saif]

'No plan to ban Awami League'

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said that the interim government has no plans to ban the Awami League, but individuals within its leadership accused of crimes, including murder and crimes against humanity, will be tried in Bangladeshi courts.

www.thedailystar.net

'No plan to ban Awami League'
Yunus tells Crisis Group; 'regime leaders to face trial here'

File photo: STAR

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said that the interim government has no plans to ban the Awami League, but individuals within its leadership accused of crimes, including murder and crimes against humanity, will be tried in Bangladeshi courts.

He said the government has not ruled out referring AL leaders to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, following a UN fact-finding mission that reported potential crimes during the July uprising. "It is very much on the table."

Speaking with a delegation from the International Crisis Group led by its President Comfort Ero at the state guesthouse Jamuna yesterday, the chief adviser said the interim government has vowed to hold elections on schedule, and not delay the vote for any demands.

He also confirmed that the government has set two possible timelines for the elections. He assured the group the dates would not change, said a press release from the chief adviser's press wing.

Yunus explained that if political parties seek a limited number of reforms prior to polls, then the elections will be held in December. If a larger reform package is desired, then elections will take place by June next year.

"We have no reason to change the election dates," he added, emphasising that the upcoming elections will be free and fair.

He also shared that the Consensus Building Commission began talks with political parties yesterday. He said there are plans to finalise and sign the July Charter, which will guide the government's policies.

The International Crisis Group officials praised the arrest of Rohingya insurgent leader Ataullah this week, calling it a sign of the government's commitment to peace and stability in the refugee camps.

They also stressed the need for increased engagement with the Arakan Army, which controls much of Rakhine state in Myanmar. Prof Yunus noted that Dhaka is working to mobilise aid for Rohingya refugees and hopes the upcoming special UN conference on the Rohingya crisis will draw global attention to the issue.

Ero expressed her group's support for Bangladesh in countering misinformation targeting the country and its government.

Prof Yunus concluded by expressing Bangladesh's desire for strong relations with India, though he lamented that much of the misinformation campaign against Bangladesh has originated from Indian media.​

 

[Saif]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/376859/hasnat%E2%80%99s-midnight-statement-fuels-fresh-demands-to

Hasnat’s post fuels fresh demands for Awami League ban
'Today, if I once again have your support and find you standing by my side on the streets, we will be able to resist this Indian conspiracy to rehabilitate the Awami League,' says Hasnat Abdullah

Hasnat Abdullah. Photo: Collected

Publish : 21 Mar 2025, 11:12 AMUpdate : 21 Mar 2025, 11:12 AM

In a bombshell Facebook post late on Thursday night that instantly went viral, Hasnat Abdullah, one of the key leaders of the uprising that overthrew Sheikh Hasina and now the chief organiser (South) of the newly formed National Citizen Party (NCP), alleged that under India's guidance, a plot is being hatched to rehabilitate the ousted Awami League.

In the post, Hasnat revealed details of a key meeting held at the Cantonment on March 11, between himself and two others from NCP with presumably military leadership, where a proposal was put forward to them to bring back the AL to mainstream politics.

Hasnat wrote regarding it: "On 11 March, at 2:30pm, this plan was presented to me and two others at the Cantonment. It was proposed that in exchange for negotiated seat sharing (at the next election), we should accept this offer. We were told that the same proposal was put forward to multiple political parties and subject to certain conditions, they had agreed to the rehabilitation of the Awami League. It was suggested that having multiple opposition parties alongside a weak Awami League would be better than just one opposition party. As a result, over the past two days, you will notice that many politicians in the media have been speaking in favour of the Awami League."

He said the move was being orchestrated by India and the plan was to have ex-MP Saber Hossain Chowdhury, ex-speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury and ex-mayor of Dhaka South Fazle Noor Taposh as the faces of what would amount to a "Refined Awami League".

Hasnat continue: "We were further told that from April-May onwards, this 'Refined Awami League,' would start admitting to the crimes of the Sheikh family, reject Hasina and promise to reestablish the Awami League of Bangabandhu in front of the public."

Hasnat said that they immediately rejected the proposal and informed their interlocutors that instead of rehabilitating the Awami League, they should be working towards bringing them to justice.

"In response, we were told that if we object to the return of the Awami League, we would be responsible for the crisis it creates in the country and that 'Awami League must come back' act," he added.

Hasnat further wrote' "At one stage of the discussion, I asked, 'How can you forgive a party that has not yet apologised or confessed to its crimes?' Angrily, the other side responded, 'You people know nothing. You lack wisdom and experience. We have been in this service for at least forty years, longer than you’ve been alive. Moreover, without the Awami League, there can be no 'inclusive' election.'"

Hasnat said they didn’t compromise, instead telling the other party: "There can be no inclusivity with the Awami League. If the Awami League is to return, it will be over our dead bodies. If an attempt is made to bring back the Awami League, you will be responsible for the crisis that will arise."

The meeting then wrapped up with the issue left unresolved.

Hasnat went on to write that during the July-August movement last year, they also received various proposals but instead of listening to any of them, they put their faith in the people, and with their support, brought about the downfall of Awami League.

He said that resisting any pressure from the Cantonment, they would like to do so again today, on the question of banning Awami League, on which he said there could be no compromise.

"Today, if I again have your support, if I find you by my side on the streets, we will once again be able to reject this Indian conspiracy of rehabilitating the Awami League," he wrote.

Hasnat’s post sparked an immediate reaction, as a group of Dhaka University students held a march on the campus in the early hours of Friday, demanding the ban of Awami League.

They also announced to reconvene in front of the Raju Sculpture on Friday afternoon to press home their demand.

Meanwhile Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Dr ShafIqur Rahman, in an early morning post on Friday on his verified Facebook page, seemed to add his voice to Hasnat’s in this regard for the first time, with a statement titled “The public will not accept the rehabilitation of the Awami League.”

Without calling directly for the Awami League to be banned, he emphasised bringing them to justice as the number one priority in front of the nation right now.

He urged all sides to remain united in this goal.​