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

[Saif]

Govt will not make decision to ban AL alone: Mahfuj

Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam yesterday said the government will not make any unilateral decision regarding the ban on the Awami League; rather, the decision will be taken following consultation with political parties, development partners, and other stakeholders.

www.thedailystar.net

Govt will not make decision to ban AL alone: Mahfuj

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Mahfuj Alam today spoke at journalists after visiting the Purba Narayanpur Islamia Junior Dakhil Madrasa in Lakshmipur. Photo : BSS

Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam yesterday said the government will not make any unilateral decision regarding the ban on the Awami League; rather, the decision will be taken following consultation with political parties, development partners, and other stakeholders.

"The government believes it cannot make the decision alone to ban the AL without consulting other political parties, as well as our local and foreign partners and stakeholders," he said.

Although the country's people have repeatedly demanded the banning of the AL, the adviser said, "We believe the government will make this decision after consultation and a thorough review of the matter involving all parties."

Mahfuj made these comments in response to a query from a journalist after visiting the Purba Narayanpur Islamia Junior Dakhil Madrasa in the Isapur Union of Ramganj upazila in the afternoon.

Earlier, he arrived at his village home and met with family members. Mahfuj also offered prayers at his paternal grandparents' graves.

Speaking on the next general elections, the adviser said the chief adviser had said elections would be held between December of this year and June 2026.

"It will depend on how much reform takes place and how these will be implemented. We should keep the elections limited to this period. The government has no ambition beyond that," Mahfuj said.

Noting that there is no ambiguity regarding the elections, he categorically stated that the polls will definitely be held.

"There are two timelines -- December or June -- and the election will take place within this timeframe. The government may not go beyond these timelines. Political parties should prepare. The election will happen," he added.

Regarding the Media Reform Commission, Mahfuj said the recommendations of the commission will be reviewed with the involvement of all stakeholders.

"We will reform as much as we can during the current interim government's tenure. Specifically, the issue of media workers' wages and benefits is a top priority. The issue of ownership is also under review," he added.​

 

[Saif]

NCP will not accept rehabilitation of Awami League: Akhtar Hossain

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said they will never accept the rehabilitation of the Awami League, accusing the ousted party of committing genocide

en.prothomalo.com

NCP will not accept rehabilitation of Awami League: Akhtar Hossain
BSS
Published: 05 Apr 2025, 19: 34

NCP Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain addressed at a discussion held with NCP organizers at the Rangpur Chamber Building Auditorium on Friday night BSS

National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain said they will never accept the rehabilitation of the Awami League, accusing the ousted party of committing genocide and crimes against humanity in Bangladesh.

"If anyone from the Awami League dares to join any programme of NCP in any way, we will resist and hand them over to the law. We believe that those who established fascism in Bangladesh have no moral right to do politics in the country," he said.

Akhtar said this while talking to local journalists after attending a discussion held with NCP organizers at the Rangpur Chamber Building Auditorium on Friday night.

In response to a question, he said, "In the current situation in Bangladesh, it is crucial to bring to justice those who committed genocide during the 2024 mass uprising."

"This trial should not only focus on individuals, but also address the crimes against humanity that the Awami League, as a party, has inflicted on Bangladesh," he added.

Akhtar Hossain said the NCP, the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee are distinct and independent organisations.

"NCP will operate as a political party, while the National Citizens Committee and the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement will continue to work to implement the aspirations of the July Uprising as political and civil society platforms," He added.

Akhtar said, "All the organizations are certainly making decisions based on their own views."

"We think that activities of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the National Citizens Committee have come to an end with the joining of many people to NCP from those two platforms. We are currently working with NCP," he said.

Regarding the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bangladesh's interim government Chief Adviser, Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, in Bangkok, NCP Member Secretary stated, "The Chief Adviser has reflected the aspirations of the people of Bangladesh."

"However, it is essential to follow the appropriate bilateral and international frameworks in dealing with India. The relationship between Bangladesh and India should not be seen as one between any political party and a foreign nation," he added.

"The interim government must take all necessary steps to ensure the trial of Sheikh Hasina. The people of Bangladesh want a solution to the Teesta and Ganga water-sharing and border-killing issues," he said.

At the event, Akhtar urged all political parties to cooperate the reform initiatives that the interim government has taken.

NCP joint chief organiser Farzana Dina and leaders of various levels of Bangladesh Democratic Students' Union, Anti-Discrimination Students' Movement, and National Citizens' Committee were, among others, present at the event.​

 

[Saif]

On rehabilitating Awami League

DEALING with the fallen Awami League has posed a political and diplomatic challenge for Professor Yunus’s interim government. While this appears to be a tricky issue, Awami League’s de facto national identity as a political entity needs foregrounding.

www.newagebd.net

On rehabilitating Awami League
by Obaidul Hamid 12 April, 2025, 00:00

DEALING with the fallen Awami League has posed a political and diplomatic challenge for Professor Yunus’s interim government. While this appears to be a tricky issue, Awami League’s de facto national identity as a political entity needs foregrounding.

Rehabilitating this marauding political party is not a popular demand. It’s the wish of Awami activists and beneficiaries who occupied different organs of the state body during Hasina’s atrocious regime. The end of the regime in August 2024 has eliminated only a fraction of the Awamised force. The larger part is still functional in different forms and modalities. Awami leaders who were allowed to escape the public wrath and take refuge in other countries have also been actively pursuing the rehabilitation project. One host nation is using both diplomatic and undiplomatic strategies on their behalf to pressurise the new government in Bangladesh.

From the people’s perspective, it’s a question of banning — rather than restoring — Awami League. However, banning may not be a wise move in longer terms. Professor Adil Khan examined the banning option in an article in New Age about two weeks ago. One of his conclusions was that ‘the remedy may lie not in banning a badly behaving party [read Awami League] but in preventing bad people from entering political parties.’

The ‘remedy’ as mentioned by Professor Khan is a Personnel Verification System (PVS) which is an integrity check for people entering politics and monitoring their integrity while they are in office. He noted that the model worked for South Korea. In his view, it’s worth exploring for Bangladesh in the new political environment. The model emphasises democratic norms and practices within political parties including the selection of their leaders.

However, the known and unknown agents of Awami rehabilitation may not endorse the PVS. For them, rehabilitation is bringing the old system (with all its evils) back and maintaining the status quo. For example, they would ask for reinstating Hasina, regardless of the volume of crimes that she committed in her political life.

Can Bangladesh rehabilitate a political party whose Bangladeshi identity is suspect and whose affiliation with a foreign country may have erased all marks of suspicion? Awami League’s connection with this country is proverbial. The 1971 war may not be imagined without Awami League being patronised by this country. Then, after the events of 1975, Hasina was sheltered by the same country as a special guest. Since Awami League’s first rehabilitation during Ziaur Rahman’s rule, it’s the only party in Bangladesh that this country has trusted. Without doubt, this trust in Awami League has been at the expense of the trust in or concern for the people.

This neighbouring power has come to Awami League’s rescue at every political juncture. Following the political turmoils and the 1/11 government during the first decade of this century, Awami League was resaddled to power by this neighbour’s intervention. To ensure that the party can stay in power, this country intervened at each of the subsequent elections. Its position was crystal clear: Democracy or no democracy, election or no election, Awami League should be in power. Diplomatically, it declared that elections were internal matters for Bangladesh in which it should not interfere. However, its interference has been an open secret. In the current political circumstances, the country has removed the veil of non-interference. It now demands a participatory election in Bangladesh, obviously in the interest of Awami League and of itself.

The metaphorical ‘husband-wife’ relationship that was promoted during Hasina’s rule was not between Bangladesh and this country; its affinity was with Awami League. However, it wasn’t a ‘conjugal’ affair after all. The so-called ‘husband’ can be seen — more appropriately — as the parental home for Awami League. Being thrown out of power, Hasina fled to this home. She also had returned to Bangladesh from this resort about four and a half decades ago.

Awami League’s filial obligation to the ‘parent’ nation may have no match in the world. Hasina’s autocratic rule presented many anomalies, violations, and contradictions. However, there was one clear method in all her madnesses. This was to make sure that the parental home remained ever happy with her, no matter what.

Minority Muslims have gone through terrible times in this ‘secular’ nation, especially under Hindutva rule. However, Tahajjud-praying Hasina never said a word about the inhuman treatment inflicted upon the Muslims or other minorities. Bangladeshis have been killed on the borders on regular intervals. Instead of requesting the authorities — not to speak of protesting — to stop the killing, her ministers defended it, attributing the blame to Bangladeshis. Hasina’s own public assertion that what she had given to this country can never be forgotten by the latter does not fall into the remit of political giving. It’s an instance that contributes to defining the national identity of Awami League.

This Awami identity is substantiated by countless examples of serving this nation’s interests. Abrar Fahad was beaten to death by Hasina’s hooligans simply because he spoke in the interest of Bangladesh and against Awami League’s limitless giving to this country. Bangladeshis were shot to death on the street because they protested the visit of its Muslim-butchering leader. Criticising public authorities of this nation was made a criminal offence in Bangladesh during Hasina’s rule. Bangladesh’s judicial system was mutilated to kill a group of Muslim leaders as per the prescription of this power. Giving transit to this nation, employing its nationals, buying electricity from them at exorbitant costs — all were done for this nation’s and Awami League’s own benefits.

The rehabilitation question needs to be addressed in Awami League’s own terms. Pakistanising the Jamaat and BNP was part of its key political discourses. From the Awami point of view, Jamaat and BNP leaders deserved to be exported to Pakistan because of their alleged connection with this Muslim country. In fact, Hasina did ban Jamaat days before her fall and escape to India. The Pakistan affinity of Jamaat and BNP has never been proven. On the other hand, Awami exchanges with the other nation against Bangladesh’s interests have left no doubt. If Jamaat or BNP did what Awami League has done with the other country, would the former deserve rehabilitation after their fall for reasons of their own making? If the answer is no for them, it should be no for Awami League too.

Awami League’s political asylum bid calls for a critical and rigorous scrutiny. This is not the first such request by or on behalf of the party. It was shown mercy earlier. In return, the people were rewarded with the longest rule of tyranny with, among other consequences, enforced disappearances, aynaghors and capital flight as its hallmarks. Rehabilitating this mafia-style fascist party is not just giving it a second chance. It is also capitulating to the sub-imperial hegemon in the region.

The neighbouring nation wouldn’t fall short of voicing Awami League’s innocence and goodness. It is unlikely to see the evil that led to its dethronement. This may lead to a logical proposition: Why not rehabilitate Awami League in this country rather than in Bangladesh? Awami League is neither needed nor wanted in Bangladesh. The neighbouring nation has sheltered a sizable body of Awami leaders since last year. Maybe they can join politics in the host country and continue serving the host’s interests, not worrying about Bangladesh.

Awami League’s rehabilitation bid is one of the many ironies defining the fallen regime. Hasina arrogantly said that there was no power in Bangladesh that could dethrone her. Bangladeshis were considered her enslaved subjects. With her monarchic hubris, she said that she fed, clothed, housed, lighted, and medicated 170 million people. She mythologised herself as a beneficent goddess and viewed the people of Bangladesh as recipients of her beneficence. Ironically, she is now in need of her beneficiaries’ mercy.

Hasina’s fall is natural justice. She should be allowed to suffer her destiny. Showing undue mercy to Awami League may not augur well for Bangladesh. It may be the case of a Trojan horse with sabotaging intentions and plans.

Obaidul Hamid is an associate professor at the University of Queensland in Australia. He researches language, education, and society in the developing world. He is a co-editor of Current Issues in Language Planning.​

 

[Saif]

NCP demands trial of AL

The procession began around 7:00pm and paraded through the surrounding area

www.thedailystar.net

NCP demands trial of AL

Photo: Anisur Rahman

The National Citizen Party (NCP) yesterday brought out a torchlight procession in the capital's Jatiya Press Club area, demanding the trial of Awami League and a ban on its political activities.

The procession began around 7:00pm and paraded through the surrounding area.

NCP leaders also called for political reforms and a constituent assembly election.

They held a brief rally following the procession.​

 

[Saif]

Govt shows excuse of West’s viewpoint when calls grow to ban AL: Sarjis

He did not name any specific individual from the interim government or any Western country

en.prothomalo.com

Govt shows excuse of West’s viewpoint when calls grow to ban AL: Sarjis
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 25 Apr 2025, 23: 03

Sarjis Alam speaks at a rally in front of the national museum in Dhaka on 25 April, 2025.Tanvir Ahmmed

Whenever demands are raised to ban Awami League, the government gives the excuse of the West’s support, Sarjis Alam, the chief organiser (north) of the National Citizen Party (NCP) said.

He made the statement while addressing a rally in front of the National Museum in Dhaka on Friday, hosted by Inqilab Mancha to demand the trial of ‘July, Pilkhana, and Shapla massacres’ and ban on Awami League.

Sarjis Alam said the demand for banning the Awami League, which they are raising today, was supposed to be fulfilled by August 2024. “Whenever we tell them to ban the Awami League, they give the excuse of the West’s viewpoint. Where was the West’s viewpoint when thousands were killed at Shapla Chattar, Pilkhana, and in July?”

He, however, refrained from naming any specific individual from the interim government or any Western country in support of his statement.

Addressing political parties, Sarjis said “Fear this generation. If you stand on this generations’ blood and play with their emotions, they will rise against all powers and pull anyone down from power.”

People chanting slogan at the rally Prothom Alo

Mosaddek Ibne Ali, former co-coordinator of the anti-discrimination student movement, said a political party has been formed after the July uprising. “They sold their spines to foreign embassies. After formation, they issued two press releases but did not mention the demand to ban the Awami League. Though the kite of this government spins during the interim period, its reel remains in the hands of foreign embassies.”

Asaduzzaman Fuaad, general secretary of the AB Party, called on the government to clarify the progress of trials. “In the world, there are precedents of permanently banning many fascist parties. The interim government must follow suit and ban the Awami League.”

Addressing the programme, Rifat Hawlader, who lost a leg during the July uprising, said “I want to declare standing on my only leg that no more brothers should lose their legs like I did. As long as I am alive, I will continue the fight against efforts to rehabilitate the Awami League.”

The rally Prothom Alo

Ali Ahsan Junaid, chief organiser of United People’s Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), said, “As long as we are alive, the Awami League will not be able to do politics in this country. We did not fear in July, and no evil force has the capacity to contain us. We want to tell the government – take action immediately to ban Awami League. Otherwise, you will be pulled out of the power.”

Nurul Islam Saddam, secretary general of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, alleged that the interim government failed to prosecute a single murder that took place in the last 16 years. Describing the Awami League as a “terrorist organisation,” he demanded its immediate ban.

In his speech, Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inqilab Mancha, vowed to ensure the trial of Awami League until one of the Inqilab Manch members is alive.

At the programme, his organisation presented some demands, including the visible opening of the July massacre trials within the next 100 days, banning Awami League through executive order, official recognition and trial of Shapla massacre, publication of a list of martyrs with help of the United Nations, disclosure of full report of the Pilkhana carnage investigation, and incorporation of a clause to try Awami League in the electoral manifesto of all political parties.

Sharif Osman Hadi warned that if no steps are taken in the next 100 days, they will besiege the secretariat after a ‘march for Bangladesh’ programme on 36 July (5 August). Until the date, they will carry out public campaigns in all 64 districts.​

 

[Saif]

AL’s registration must be cancelled, activities banned: Nahid Islam

Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam has called for immediate cancellation of the Awami League’s registration as a political party and a complete ban on its political activities. “The people of Bangladesh gave a clear verdict against the Awami League on August 5 (20

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

AL’s registration must be cancelled, activities banned: Nahid Islam
Published :
May 02, 2025 17:42
Updated :
May 02, 2025 17:42

Convener of the National Citizen Party (NCP) Nahid Islam has called for immediate cancellation of the Awami League’s registration as a political party and a complete ban on its political activities.

“The people of Bangladesh gave a clear verdict against the Awami League on August 5 (2024). They declared that this party should no longer be allowed to do politics in this country,” he told the 5th founding anniversary programme of the AB Party at Jatiya Press Club (JPC) on Friday.

Nahid Islam said, “On August 5, the people of Bangladesh delivered a verdict against the Awami League that it should no longer be allowed to engage in politics in this country.”

“When we say the people will decide the fate of Awami League, there are two paths – one through voting and the other through street protests. On August 5, the latter occurred through a public uprising,” he added.

Nahid, former information and broadcasting adviser of the interim government, further said a mass uprising has taken place in the country in which the people rejected both Mujibism and the Awami League, reports BSS.

“Amid the public outrage, Awami League leaders fled the country,” he said, adding, “Now, there should be no debate about whether the Awami League can continue in politics. They have lost the moral grounds to do so. Now the issue is how the legal process will proceed.”

“We must find a democratic path forward. The Awami League’s registration must be cancelled, and its organisational activities must be banned immediately. Only then can we reach a final decision through a judicial process,” he said.​

 

[Saif]

Protesters gather in front of Jamuna demanding ban on Awami League

Students and the public have started a sit-in programme in front of the Jamuna, the residence of the chief advisor, demanding that the Awami League be tried as a genocide perpetrator and that the party be banned. The programme began at 10 pm on Thursday (May 8) under the leadership of NCP's chief

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Protesters gather in front of Jamuna demanding ban on Awami League
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 08, 2025 23:35
Updated :
May 08, 2025 23:35

Students and the public have started a sit-in programme in front of the Jamuna, the residence of the chief advisor, demanding that the Awami League be tried as a genocide perpetrator and that the party be banned.

The programme began at 10 pm on Thursday (May 8) under the leadership of NCP's chief organiser (south) Hasnat Abdullah, according to local media.

Hasnat Abdullah appeared in front of the Jamuna at 10 pm that night. Since then, protesters have been gathering there with processions demanding a ban on the Awami League.

Earlier, Hasnat Abdullah announced on his verified Facebook ID that he would start a sit-in programme in front of the chief advisor's residence, Jamuna.​

 

[Saif]

'March to Dhaka' again if decision is not made quickly: Nahid

On Friday night, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam warned that if the government does not promptly decide to ban the Awami League (AL), a nationwide "March to Dhaka" will be organised, similar to previous mass mobilisations. This warning was issued via a post on his verified Faceboo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

'March to Dhaka' again if decision is not made quickly: Nahid
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 09, 2025 23:06
Updated :
May 09, 2025 23:06

On Friday night, National Citizen Party (NCP) Convener Nahid Islam warned that if the government does not promptly decide to ban the Awami League (AL), a nationwide "March to Dhaka" will be organised, similar to previous mass mobilisations. This warning was issued via a post on his verified Facebook page during the ongoing Shahbagh blockade.

In his statement, Nahid Islam emphasised that the sit-in at Shahbagh would continue and called upon all forces, regardless of political affiliation, to unite in the demand to ban the Awami League, citing concerns over national sovereignty, according to local media.

The protest at Shahbagh began earlier in the day, with Hasnat Abdullah, NCP's chief organiser for the southern region, leading a rally that moved from the Chief Adviser's residence to the Shahbagh intersection. By 5:00 PM, approximately a thousand protesters had gathered, chanting slogans demanding the banning of the Awami League.

The Shahbagh blockade is part of a broader movement that includes various political and student organisations, all calling for the prohibition of the Awami League's political activities. This movement follows the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after a mass uprising in July 2024, during which hundreds were killed.

Despite the formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, tensions persist over the Awami League's potential participation in future elections. Student leaders and NCP members have expressed strong opposition to any attempt to reintegrate the party into the political process without holding its leaders accountable for past actions.

The ongoing protests and blockades underscore the deep divisions within Bangladesh's political landscape and the demand for accountability and reform.​

 

[Saif]

We have no disagreement on taking action against Awami League: Asif Nazrul

Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Friday said the law will be no problem in banning the Awami League (AL) as there are some laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, for banning the party. "We (advisers) have no disagreement on the issue of taking action against the A

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

We have no disagreement on taking action against Awami League: Asif Nazrul
BSS
Published :
May 09, 2025 18:25
Updated :
May 09, 2025 18:25

Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Friday said the law will be no problem in banning the Awami League (AL) as there are some laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, for banning the party.

"We (advisers) have no disagreement on the issue of taking action against the Awami League. However, everyone can have their own opinion on the method. We need to remember that if we want, we can amend the ICT Act within a few days. There are other laws, including the Anti-Terrorism Act, to ban the Awami League. So, the law is not a problem," he said in a post on his verified Facebook account on Friday.

The adviser, who is a professor of law himself, said if the political parties demand the banning of the Awami League and the trial courts concerned come up with any judgment or observation in this connection, Awami League can be banned legally for sure.

"The Law Ministry's draft included a provision to ban an organization, in the ICT Act to create an opportunity to ban the Awami League. As the law adviser, I myself raised this in the Advisory Council meeting. How is it possible that I would oppose the draft that was raised by me? Please refrain from blaming me, the student advisers or anyone else for whatever role played by whichever adviser in the Advisory Council meeting." he added.

On the issue of allowing former president Abdul Hamid to leave the country, the law adviser said that it was the duty of police and intelligence agencies to stop the former president, who is a murder case accused, from leaving the country, adding, "Which is in no way a matter under the jurisdiction of my Law Ministry."

"The lower court judges are under the jurisdiction of my ministry. As you probably know, it is not the responsibility of the judges to guard airports or to prevent anyone from travelling," he further said.​

 

[Saif]

'Shahbag blockade will be withdrawn as soon as notification to ban AL is issued'

On Friday, 9 May 2025, protesters blocked Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection, demanding the immediate banning of the Awami League (AL). The demonstration, led by the National Citizen Party (NCP), began in the afternoon and continued into the night. Protesters declared they would not vacate the area unti

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

'Shahbag blockade will be withdrawn as soon as notification to ban AL is issued'
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 09, 2025 23:23
Updated :
May 09, 2025 23:23

On Friday, 9 May 2025, protesters blocked Dhaka's Shahbagh intersection, demanding the immediate banning of the Awami League (AL). The demonstration, led by the National Citizen Party (NCP), began in the afternoon and continued into the night. Protesters declared they would not vacate the area until the government issued an official notification banning the AL.

The protest commenced near the Chief Adviser's residence, Jamuna, and moved to Shahbagh around 4:30 PM, following an announcement by Hasnat Abdullah, the NCP's chief organiser (South). He stated, "We will leave here and blockade Shahbagh. We will continue the blockade until a notification is issued banning the Awami League."

Protesters chanted slogans such as "Ban the Awami League now" and "No place for AL in Bangladesh," while holding national flags and placards demanding the party's prohibition, according to local media. The demonstrators, comprising students, political activists, and members of various Islamic organisations, accused the AL of undermining national sovereignty and democracy.

NCP Convener Nahid Islam warned that if the government delayed banning the AL, a nationwide 'March to Dhaka' would be organised. He emphasised that all forces, regardless of political affiliation, should unite in this demand.

The protest follows the July 2024 uprising, which led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Since then, there have been increasing calls for the AL's political activities to be banned and for those responsible for the crackdown on protesters to be held accountable.

As of late Friday night, the blockade at Shahbagh remained in place, with protesters vowing to continue their sit-in until their demands are met.​

 

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/politics/govt-says-decision-soon-as-demos-spark-for-al-ban

Protesters led by NCP on day-night sit-ins
Govt says decision soon as demos spark for AL ban

Mass squatting at crossroads disrupts commuting

FE REPORT
Published :
May 10, 2025 00:21
Updated :
May 10, 2025 00:21

Leaders and activists from the National Citizen Party (NCP) and several other political parties and organisations stage a sit-in in front of the State Guest House Jamuna in the capital on Friday demanding a ban on the Awami League. Later, the protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection, vowing to continue their sit-in until their demand is met. — FE photo

A decision will be made "soon", the interim government said Friday as demonstrators led by the pro-uprising party kept entrenched on mass sit-ins to press for immediate ban on "fascist" Awami League.

Firsthand accounts said different political parties and groups, led by the newcomer National Citizen Party (NCP), blocked Dhaka's mainline Shahbagh intersection, after an overnight demonstration on the demand for outlawing the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) on charges of what they called its past fascist rule and recent incidents linked to its comeback plans.

The protesters threatened to continue their agitation "for days or even months" if their demands went unheard. And the vows echoed through rallies in some other cities.

The blockade began on Friday afternoon following a rally held near the entrance to Minto Road, close to the Chief Adviser's residence at state guesthouse Jamuna.

The announcement was made around 4:30pm by Hasnat Abdullah, NCP's southern-region organiser, from the protest stage.

Leaders and activists from several political parties and groups, including Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Amar Bangladesh Party and Inquilab Mancha, joined the tumultuous demonstrations.

General students and members of the public also participated, carrying placards and festoons with slogans.

Meanwhile, the Interim Government of Bangladesh issued a statement on the day, indicating that it would soon make a decision after consultation with political parties regarding the demand for banning the Awami League.

"The government has taken serious note of the growing demand from political parties, organizations, and the public to ban the Bangladesh Awami League due to its autocratic governance and alleged involvement in terrorist activities leading to widespread human-rights violations," says the statement released by the Chief Adviser's press wing.

"Instead of cooperating with ongoing investigations, the party has been attempting to destabilize the country," the statement also reflects the charges brought from street squatters.

The government also acknowledges the significance of a recent UN report that highlighted terrorist activities carried out by AL leaders and supporters during the July uprising.

"Until a final decision is made, we urge everyone to exercise patience," the statement concludes to placate the protesters.

In another development, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said the government can ban the party under the Anti-Terrorism Act and the ICT Act can be amended if it stands in the way of removing the party from the political landscape of the country.

In a Facebook post on Friday, he said the advisers had no disagreement over taking action against the Awami League.

He said the Awami League, which was ousted from power in a student-led mass movement in July-August, can be banned "swiftly and lawfully" if the political parties want it and the judicial courts give any verdict or review in the matter.

"Our demands have not reached the ears of the interim government. So we are now heading to block Shahbagh. We will remain there until our demand is met," Hasnat declared at the rally.

He also criticized the Awami League sharply, saying, "Even a hundred Pharaohs together couldn't match one Hasina. How Awami League is still considered a political party? We hear the Chief Adviser trying to consult political parties before deciding on banning the Awami League. But Awami League is not a political party in any sense."

After ex-president Abdul Hamid's escape, leaders and activists of NCP began a sit-in in front of the Chief Adviser's residence on Thursday night, demanding a ban on the Awami League. The protest continued into Friday, with a rally held following Jumma prayers.

The large public gathering demanded the ban on the Awami League, beginning the event with a recitation from the Holy Quran.

The gathering started around 2:45pm in front of the Intercontinental Hotel in Dhaka, with NCP leader Ashraf Mahadi leading the Quran recitation.

During a spot visit, an FE correspondent witnessed participants from Islamic and other political parties having joined the rally, while people of all walks of life taking part in the public gathering spontaneously.

Speaking at the rally, Mujibur Rahman Manju, chairman of the Amar Bangladesh Party (AB Party), issued a strong call for the interim government to convene an all-party meeting within 48 hours to formally ban the Awami League.

The NCP declared that their protest against the ruling Awami League only just began and may continue for days or even months. Speaking from the protest stage, NCP's northern region organiser, Sarjis Alam, announced, "Our fight has just begun. We'll remain on the streets until Awami League is officially banned."

Braving sweltering heat after Friday prayers, supporters from various political and student organisations gathered at the protest site. Among those whose presence was announced from the stage were Ashraf Ali Akon, Presidium Member of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, and SM Farhad, Dhaka University unit president of Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Throughout the rally, demonstrators chanted slogans such as 'Ban Awami League', 'Catch the League, jail the League', and 'Dig the grave of Awami League' as some recited protest poetry over the microphone. Protesters also painted slogans like 'Who craves power, dies in the gutter', and 'Power or people?' on roads near Paribagh.

As the rally began under intense midday sun, many protesters became visibly uncomfortable. To ease the situation, city corporation authorities began spraying water from spray cannon to cool down the protest area and make conditions more bearable for participants.

The sit-in began around 10 on Thursday night in front of the Chief Adviser's residence, led by Hasnat Abdullah. He was soon joined by leaders and activists from NCP, Baisommobirodhi Chhatro Andolon, and other allied groups. Around 1 AM, NCP convenor Nahid Islam and secretary Akhtar Hossain arrived with more party leaders. Leaders and activists from Hefazat-e-Islam, AB Party, and Islami Chhatra Shibir joined the protest throughout the night.

After a nightlong protest, leaders and activists of different political parties joined the demonstrations near the Chief Adviser's residence on the morning.

Around 8:30am, from the ongoing sit-in in front of Jamuna, Hasnat Abdullah and chief coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari announced that the rally would be held after Jumma prayers in the Foara (fountain) area west of Jamuna.

Meanwhile, the statement from CA's press wing also added it is worth mentioning that, in response to public demand, the government has already banned the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the AL student wing, which is widely accused of perpetrating violence and carrying out terrorist activities, under the Anti-Terrorism Act.​

 

[Saif]

Advisory Council begins emergency meeting

An emergency meeting of the Advisory Council has begun in response to the ongoing blockades across Dhaka, including Shahbagh, demanding a ban on the Awami League. The meeting began at 8:00 pm on Saturday at the State Guest House Jamuna, the Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO) cofirmed. A press con

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Advisory Council begins emergency meeting
bdnews24.com
Published :
May 10, 2025 20:54
Updated :
May 10, 2025 20:54

An emergency meeting of the Advisory Council has begun in response to the ongoing blockades across Dhaka, including Shahbagh, demanding a ban on the Awami League.

The meeting began at 8:00 pm on Saturday at the State Guest House Jamuna, the Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO) cofirmed.

A press conference is expected to be held outside the residence of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus after the meeting.

Earlier, Energy Advisor Fouzul Kabir Khan said, “The meeting will focus on determining the next course of action in light of recent developments.”

The urgency followed a series of protests triggered by news of former president Md Abdul Hamid’s departure from Bangladesh​

 

[Saif]

Government decides to ban Awami League

The interim government has banned the activities of Awami League until the completion of trial of the perpetrators of the killings and atrocities carried out during the July Upsurge. The decision was taken in a special meeting of the council of advisers held at Jamuna State Guest House on Saturday

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Government decides to ban Awami League
FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
May 10, 2025 23:21
Updated :
May 10, 2025 23:42

The interim government has banned the activities of Awami League until the completion of trial of the perpetrators of the killings and atrocities carried out during the July Upsurge.

The decision was taken in a special meeting of the council of advisers held at Jamuna State Guest House on Saturday night, said Law Adviser Asif Nazrul after the meeting.

Asif Nazrul stated that the amendment to the ICT Act enables the tribunal to prosecute political parties, their affiliates, and supporters.

Consequently, all AL operations, including those in cyberspace, are suspended to safeguard national security, sovereignty, and the safety of July Movement activists, plaintiffs, and witnesses involved in the tribunal proceedings .

The government plans to issue the necessary circulars on the next working day to formalise this ban.

Additionally, the Advisory Council resolved to finalise and publish the July Declaration within the next 30 working days.

This move follows escalating demands from civil society and political groups, notably the National Citizen Party (NCP), which has been advocating for a ban on the AL due to alleged involvement in mass killings during the July uprising .

This development marks a significant shift in Bangladesh's political landscape, as the AL, a major political party, faces a comprehensive ban pending the outcome of the ICT trials.​

 

[Saif]

Will hold long march to Jamuna if no ban on Awami League within an hour, NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah

Hasnat Abdullah has announced that they will hold a long march to Jamuna if no announcement banning the Awami League is made within an hour. The chief organiser for the National Citizens’ Party (NCP)'s southern region made the announcement at a rally in Dhaka’s Shahbagh around 7:45 am

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Will hold long march to Jamuna if no ban on Awami League within an hour, NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah
FE Online Desk
Published :
May 10, 2025 21:07
Updated :
May 10, 2025 21:07

Hasnat Abdullah -- File Photo

Hasnat Abdullah has announced that they will hold a long march to Jamuna if no announcement banning the Awami League is made within an hour.

The chief organiser for the National Citizens’ Party (NCP)'s southern region made the announcement at a rally in Dhaka’s Shahbagh around 7:45 am on Saturday.

The Advisory Council, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, head of the interim government, began an emergency meeting around 8:00 pm.

Once the meeting concludes, the media will be briefed, said Deputy Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, Abul Kalam Azad.

Earlier, Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told reporters in Jashore that the Advisory Council had called the meeting to discuss a possible ban on the Awami League under the ICT Act.​

 

[Saif]

AL activities banned until trial at ICT complete

The interim government on Saturday officially banned all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-terrorism Act until the end of trial of the party and its leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The decision came at an emergency meeting of the Advisory Council presided ov

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

AL activities banned until trial at ICT complete
FE REPORT
Published :
May 11, 2025 02:20
Updated :
May 11, 2025 02:20

The interim government on Saturday officially banned all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-terrorism Act until the end of trial of the party and its leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

The decision came at an emergency meeting of the Advisory Council presided over by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul read out a statement announcing the decision at a press briefing after the meeting.

According to the statement, the meeting approved an amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Act. The amendment allows the International Crimes Tribunal to punish any political party, its affiliates or support groups.

“In the meeting of the Advisory Council, it was decided that all activities of the Awami League, including those in cyberspace, will remain banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the trial of the party and its leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal is completed, for the sake of security and sovereignty of the country, safety of the leaders and activists of the July Movement, and protection of the plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal”.

A circular in this regard would be issued the next working day, the statement said.

In the meeting it was also decided that the July Proclamation would be finalised and published within the next 30 working days, the statement added.

Other advisers including Asif Mahmud, Mahfuz Alam and Syeda Rizwana were present at the briefing. However, they left the briefing venue immediately after reading out the statement.

The Awami League, founded in 1949, played a major role in the country’s Liberation Movement in 1971 and ruled Bangladesh for most of the post-2008 period.

However, in recent years, the party came under fire for widespread human rights abuses, crackdowns on opposition parties, suppression of media freedom, and election engineering, particularly the controversial 2024 general election that was boycotted by major opposition forces.

A mass uprising on August 5 last year overthrew the Sheikh Hasina regime. She was the supreme leader of the party.

The Advisory Council came up with the decisions in the face of a one-hour ultimatum issued at the fag end of a blockade programme.

Hasnat Abdullah, a leader of the National Citizen Party (NCP), gave the ultimatum to ban the Awami League as a political party.

At the blockade programme at the Shahbagh intersection in the capital, he said to the interim government: "I have given you another hour. If the announcement is not made within this one hour, we will occupy the place upto Bangla Motor and the Intercontinental will the centre of our position."

He said: "We are not backing off anymore. We will leave the field after banning the Awami League. We will announce a stricter program.”

The blockade programme began at the Shahbagh intersection after 3:00 pm, to press for implementation of their three-point demand, including banning the Awami League.

Leaders and activists of the NCP, Islami Chhatra Shibir, United People's Bangladesh (UP) and various other organisations associated with the July Uprising joined the programme.

The blockade preceded an overnight demonstration on the demand for outlawing the AL on charges of what they called its past fascist rule and recent incidents linked to its comeback plans. The protesters threatened to continue their agitation “for days or even months” if their demands went unheard. And the vows echoed through rallies in some other cities also.

The blockade began on Friday afternoon following a rally held near the entrance to Minto Road, close to the Chief Adviser’s residence at the state guesthouse Jamuna BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir addressing a 'Youth Rally' in Chattogram said, " We don’t' want to see the Awami League".​

 

[Saif]

Trial of crimes of parties, leaders more important than ban

THE demand for the trial of and a ban on the Awami League and its fronts for the mass killing of July 2024 has resurfaced with vigour. The demand has been around since the installation of the interim government in August that year, but it...

www.newagebd.net

Trial of crimes of parties, leaders more important than ban
11 May, 2025, 00:00

THE demand for the trial of and a ban on the Awami League and its fronts for the mass killing of July 2024 has resurfaced with vigour. The demand has been around since the installation of the interim government in August that year, but it appears to have somewhat died down. In the turn of event, protesters, who included students and activists of various political parties, blocked the Shahbagh crossing in Dhaka in the afternoon on May 9 after a rally in front of Jamuna, the official residence of the chief adviser to the interim government, that had begun the night before to push for the trial of and a ban on the party. The protests spilled over to a few outlying districts, too. The protesters have genuine grounds to vent their grievances as the government has apparently failed to arrest many of the Awami League leaders for the trial. Besides, in more than nine months, the interim government appears to have made little progress in effectively putting to trial the Awami League’s decision-makers for carrying out the mass killing. Even the process of investigation for the crimes committed by the Awami League leaders is frustratingly slow.

The escape of ranking Awami League leaders without being tried for their misdeeds is proof of the government’s lack of seriousness. The trial of the individual leaders of the Awami League and the party as an organisation for their role in the mass killing is, however, more important than the imposition of a ban on the party. Because, a political party is the embodiment of certain ideologies and thoughts that cannot be vanquished with a ban. The undemocratic politics, rather, needs to be fought with democratic politics. The Awami League government on August 1, 2024 banned the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its fronts by an executive order, but it eventually has not helped to stop the party’s political activities. The protesters, meanwhile, also appear to be missing out on one point. There is the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, which stands accused of having committed crimes of a far greater intensity against humanity during Bangladesh’s liberation war in 1971. When the International Crimes Tribunal tried Jamaat leaders beginning in 2013, it came up with the observation that Jamaat should also be tried as an organisation which the Awami League did not carry through.

The government should, under the circumstances, rather, expedite the process of trying Awami League leaders individually and thoroughly investigate the role of the Awami League as a political party in the July 2024 mass killing and proceed with the process of trying the organisation. In the process, the interim government must not have a double standard by trying the Awami League for the mass killing and sparing Jamaat for actively taking part in a genocide.​

 

[Bilal9]

Awami League activities banned in Bangladesh, Students and Bangladeshis at every walk of life rejoice at the decision.

 

[Saif]

Awami League activities banned in Bangladesh, Students and Bangladeshis at every walk of life rejoice at the decision.

We have got a temporary ban but wanted a permanent ban on Awami League. I am sad because of the treachery of the Yunus government.

 

[Saif]

‘July Unity’ to announce next course of action based on consultations

‘July Unity’, a pressure group claiming to stand for the values of the July 36 Uprising, held a press conference on Sunday at TSC of Dhaka University responding to the government’s decision regarding the ban on the Awami League and the July Declaration, as well as to address the c

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

‘July Unity’ to announce next course of action based on consultations
UNB
Published :
May 11, 2025 23:28
Updated :
May 11, 2025 23:28

‘July Unity’, a pressure group claiming to stand for the values of the July 36 Uprising, held a press conference on Sunday at TSC of Dhaka University responding to the government’s decision regarding the ban on the Awami League and the July Declaration, as well as to address the coalition’s next steps.

The leaders stated that their next movements will be announced following the decision of the advisory council.

AB Zubayer, one of the key organizers of the platform, said, “We were holding protests in Shahbagh with three main demands, including the ban of the Awami League. We wanted the Awami League to be banned as a political party and for the July Declaration to be officially announced. However, we have been informed that the Awami League will be banned through a judicial process, and until then, all its activities will remain prohibited.”

Regarding their next course of action, Zubayer said, “The decision on announcing the July Declaration is expected to be informed on Monday. Based on the decision of the advisory council on Monday, we will announce our next program.”

It was mentioned in response to journalists’ questions that allies of the Awami League are still hidden within the interim government and at various levels of administration. They have shifted the focus from banning the party itself to merely prohibiting its activities.

“We reiterate our demand for a complete ban on the Awami League as a political party,” he emphasized.

“We announced the ‘July Unity’ platform standing on the blood of nearly 2,000 martyrs. Right now, around 80 social, political, and human rights organizations have joined our platform,” said Zubayer.​

 

[Saif]

BNP welcomes ban on AL activities, Fakhrul says

The BNP welcomed the interim government's decision to ban the activities of the Awami League, the party’s secretary general said in a statement on Sunday. “We are happy that, albeit belatedly, the interim government last night decided to ban the activities of the fascist party Awami Le

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

BNP welcomes ban on AL activities, Fakhrul says
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 11, 2025 18:23
Updated :
May 11, 2025 18:23

Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir -- File Photo

The BNP welcomed the interim government's decision to ban the activities of the Awami League, the party’s secretary general said in a statement on Sunday.

“We are happy that, albeit belatedly, the interim government last night decided to ban the activities of the fascist party Awami League and its affiliated organisations,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said.

He called the move necessary to ensure the swift and smooth trial proceedings of those associated with the fascist government for crimes against humanity.

The National Citizens Party (NCP) had initiated protests last week to press for a series of demands, including a ban on the Awami League.

Jamaat-e-Islami, Islamic Andolon, the AB Party, and other groups linked to the July uprising expressed support for the NCP’s call.

The protest began around 10 pm on Thursday in front of Jamuna, the official residence of the interim government’s chief adviser, and later shifted to Shahbagh on Friday afternoon.

The BNP, however, did not join the protests, with its leaders saying amid criticism that the decision to ban the Awami League was a matter for the government or the election commission, not for the BNP.

Amid the demonstrations, the government on Saturday banned the political activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act, citing national security concerns.​

 

[Bilal9]

We have got a temporary ban but wanted a permanent ban on Awami League. I am sad because of the treachery of the Yunus government.

Don't blame Yunus, blame this treacherous Asif Nazrul guy, who is in the payroll of Aarr-A-Dubya.

And the chameleon like leaders of BNP....bhol-paltano experts.

 

[Saif]

Don't blame Yunus, blame this treacherous Asif Nazrul guy, who is in the payroll of Aarr-A-Dubya.

And the chameleon like leaders of BNP....bhol-paltano experts.

Asif Nazrul needs Dr. Yunus to implement his plan to rehabilitate Awami League in politics. He cannot function alone. Dr. Yunus is an India friendly guy he even attended the party threw by Ambani in his honor.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Typical Islamic hooliganism. If you can not defeat a party in election, topple the government, ban that party from fighting election, set a puppet government on chair, enjoy power from back ground, and push radical Islamic agenda, be billionaire and leave public at the mercy of Allah.

 

[Saif]

Typical Islamic hooliganism. If you can not defeat a party in election, topple the government, ban that party from fighting election, set a puppet government on chair, enjoy power from back ground, and push radical Islamic agenda, be billionaire and leave public at the mercy of Allah.

People shouldn't open their mouth in a matter that they know very little about.

 

[Saif]

Home Adviser pledges to act against any AL efforts to organise

Action will be taken against Awami League if they try to organise or hold a procession, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said. The adviser came up with the remarks after the meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Home Adviser pledges to act against any AL efforts to organise
UNB
Published :
May 12, 2025 22:54
Updated :
May 12, 2025 22:54

Action will be taken against Awami League if they try to organise or hold a procession, Home Affairs Adviser Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said.

The adviser came up with the remarks after the meeting of the Advisory Council Committee on Law and Order at the Secretariat on Monday.

When asked what your activities will be after the issuance of the notification banning the Awami League, the adviser said, 'We will do whatever is in the notification.'

"It is our responsibility to implement the law that will be passed.'

The passport of former President Abdul Hamid, who went abroad, has not been cancelled. Regarding whether any action is being taken against those involved in the passport, he said, a committee has been formed in this regard. He (Abdul Hamid) was the honourable president. "I do not know whether all laws apply to everyone," he added.

He added that the committee will investigate and see whether it was legal or illegal for him to have a passport.

"Even though presidents are not in office, they are number four according to the warrant of presidency. They do get some privileges and benefits on that account. The committee will see whether he has been given some benefits outside the protocol," he mentioned.

Regarding the recovery of illegal weapons, Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said, the operation to recover illegal weapons is still ongoing.

However, the quantity we wanted was not recovered.​

 

[Saif]

Election Commission suspends Awami League’s registration

The Election Commission (EC) has suspended the registration of the Awami League. EC Senior Secretary Akhter Ahmed briefed the media about the decision at 9:15 pm on Monday. The move came hours after the government issued a gazette banning all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated orga

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Election Commission suspends Awami League’s registration
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 12, 2025 21:35
Updated :
May 12, 2025 22:14

The Election Commission (EC) has suspended the registration of the Awami League.

EC Senior Secretary Akhter Ahmed briefed the media about the decision at 9:15 pm on Monday.

The move came hours after the government issued a gazette banning all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

On Saturday, the Council of Advisers decided to suspend all political activities of the Awami League and its affiliates until the trials of its leaders and activists--over alleged links to atrocities during the July uprising--are completed at the International Crimes Tribunal, amid three days of continued protests led by the National Citizen Party demanding action against the party.

On Sunday, the Council of Advisers gave its policy and final approval to the draft of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 with provisions to ban any individual or entity involved in terrorist acts.​

 

[Saif]

Ban on Awami League’s activities, gazette notification issued

The interim government has issued a gazette notification imposing a ban on all sorts of political activities of the Bangladesh Awami League.

en.prothomalo.com

Ban on Awami League’s activities, gazette notification issued
Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Updated: 12 May 2025, 19: 08

Bangladesh Government Logo File photo

The interim government has issued a gazette notification imposing a ban on all sorts of political activities of the Bangladesh Awami League and its associate bodies until the completion of the trial of the party’s leaders and activists at the International Crimes Tribunal on allegations of crime against humanity.

The Public Security Division under the home ministry issued the gazette notification today, Monday. The ban came under the Anti-terrorism Act (amended).

Public Security Division joint secretary Ziauddin Ahmed confirmed this to Prothom Alo Monday afternoon.

Earlier, on Sunday, the interim government issued the Anti-terrorism Act (amended) Ordinance including a new provision of imposing ban on persons or any entity (organisation) involved in violence and terrorism.

As per the previous version of the act, to meet the purpose of the act, the government may, on the basis of reasonable grounds that any person or entity is involved in terrorist acts, list such a person in the Schedule or declare the entity prohibited and list it in the Schedule by issuing official gazette notifications.

However, there was no provision in the law regarding the prohibition of the activities of any entity. The new amendment allows the government to impose a ban on activities of any entity.

According to the Anti-Terrorism Act, the term ‘entity’ refers to legal entities, statutory agencies, commercial or non-commercial organisations, group, partnership business, cooperative associations and any organisation comprising one or more persons.

On Saturday, three decisions were taken in the advisory council meeting presided over by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus. As per those decisions, the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Act has been amended.

According to that amendment, the International Crimes Tribunal can punish any party or its associate bodies. Apart from that, decisions were taken to protect the country’s sovereignty until Awami League leaders’ trials at the ICT are complete, ensuring security of July protesters and imposing ban on Awami League’s activities, including its activities on cyber space, to ensure safety of the plaintiffs and eyewitnesses in the cases filed with the ICT.

The advisory council also decided to finalise and publish the Proclamation of the July uprising within the next 30 working days.​

 

[Saif]

People breathe a ‘sigh of relief’ following ban on AL activities: CA’s Press Secretary

Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam on Monday said that people of the country had breathed a ‘sigh of relief’ following the ban on the activities of Awami League as they had accepted such a ban. “The current interim government is the peoples’ government but previously the Awami...

en.prothomalo.com

People breathe a ‘sigh of relief’ following ban on AL activities: CA’s Press Secretary
BSS Dhaka
Published: 12 May 2025, 23: 18

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam spoke at a “Meet the Press” event held at the Sagar-Runi auditorium of the DRU in the capital on 12 May 2025 BSS

Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser Shafiqul Alam on Monday said that people of the country had breathed a ‘sigh of relief’ following the ban on the activities of Awami League as they had accepted such a ban.

“The current interim government is the peoples’ government but previously the Awami League had snatched the voting rights of people while people had also forgotten when they exercised their voting rights last,” he said.

In this connection, the press secretary said the AL was banned for violating human rights and snatching voting rights of people.

“They (AL) had curbed all the rights of the country’s people…The ban on the activities of AL has been imposed following consultations with all the parties of the mass uprising,” he added.

The Press Secretary was talking at the “Meet the Press” event at the Sagar-Runi auditorium of the Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) in the capital today.

Shafiqul said although the UN report had mentioned about the killing of some 1,400 people during the uprising last year, the actual number is more than this.

“But, there is no regret among the AL men as they had labeled anyone as ‘militant’. But, now comfort has been restored among the people of Bangladesh following the ban on the activities of AL,” he said.

Referring to the issue of journalists’ rights and enhancing their facilities, the Press Secretary said that the journalists unions should come forward and thus raise their voices over increasing the facilities of the journalists and media workers.

“But, our unions were busy over bagging plots in Purbachal over the last 15 years while those did not play any effective role in the interests of the journalists. They had fraud severely with the journalists,” he added.

Laying emphasis on ensuring proper salaries of the journalists to improve their living standards, the CA’s Press Secretary said that the issue is also related to the dignity of the profession, not only with the financial terms.

DRU President Abu Saleh Akon and General Secretary Mynul Hossain Sohel were present, among others, on the occasion.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

People shouldn't open their mouth in a matter that they know very little about.

The problem with you guys is that you are self declared experts of any subject. You just declare that others know nothing about some subject and you become expert of that subject.

 

[Bilal9]

Asif Nazrul needs Dr. Yunus to implement his plan to rehabilitate Awami League in politics. He cannot function alone. Dr. Yunus is an India friendly guy he even attended the party threw by Ambani in his honor.

Good info, I did not know.

When was this party?

 

[Saif]

Good info, I did not know.

When was this party?

The party was held right after Dr. Yunus got his Nobel peace prize.

 

[Saif]

India says it is concerned by ban on Awami League

India said on Tuesday that it was concerned by the ban on the Awami League, as well as the ‘curtailment of democratic freedoms’ and "shrinking political space’ in Bangladesh. "We strongly support the early holding of free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh," Indian Forei

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

India says it is concerned by ban on Awami League
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
May 13, 2025 19:46
Updated :
May 13, 2025 19:46

India said on Tuesday that it was concerned by the ban on the Awami League, as well as the ‘curtailment of democratic freedoms’ and "shrinking political space’ in Bangladesh.

"We strongly support the early holding of free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh," Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing on Tuesday, according to Reuters.

Recently, the interim government banned all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act after days of protests.

Besides, the election commission also suspended the registration of ousted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League.​

 

[Saif]

AL can't participate in elections if stay order on registration not repealed: EC

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud has said the Awami League cannot take part in elections if the stay order on its registration is not repealed. He said the interim government has banned AL activities and the Election Commission has stayed the registration. So, the party has no scope for

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

AL can't participate in elections if stay order on registration not repealed: EC
BSS
Published :
May 19, 2025 19:57
Updated :
May 19, 2025 19:57

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud speaks at the inauguration of a daylong training in the conference hall of the Regional Public Administration Training Centre on Monday. Photo : BSS

Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud has said the Awami League cannot take part in elections if the stay order on its registration is not repealed.

He said the interim government has banned AL activities and the Election Commission has stayed the registration. So, the party has no scope for taking part in elections.

Election Commissioner Masud made the observation while inaugurating a daylong training at the conference hall of the Regional Public Administration Training Centre in Rajshahi on Monday.

The Regional Election Office organised the training titled "Voter List Updating-2025, Subsequent Evaluation and Sustainable Development Planning" for election officials.

Abdur Rahmanel Masud said they are ready to hold the elections within the stipulated time fixed by the Chief Adviser.

Regarding election preparations, he stated that they are fully prepared. "As we are implementing an agency, we have no deficit in our preparation to hold the elections," he added.

Earlier, the election commissioner shared views with administrative and police officials at the Circuit House conference hall.

Election Commission Senior Secretary Akter Ahmed, Additional Commissioner of Rajshahi Division Habibur Rahman, Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Muhammad Abu Sufiyan, Deputy Commissioner Afia Akhter, Superintendent of Police Farjana Islam, and Regional Election Officer Delwar Hossain were present on the occasion.​