The Bangladesh interim government banned all activities of the Awami League, the main opposition party, Saturday. The advisory council, led by Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel peace prize laureate, also amended the International Crimes Tribunal Act. The change allows the tribunal penalize political parties, their affiliated groups, and supporters. The government said the ban would stay in place until the Awami League and its leaders face trial over the deaths of hundreds of protesters at the International Crimes Tribunal. The government had already banned the party’s student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, calling it a “terrorist organization” for attacking protesters in October 2024.
Officials stated the ban aims to protect national security and sovereignty. It also seeks to safeguard leaders of the July Movement and witnesses involved in the tribunal. The decision is preceded by a mass protest in Dhaka. Thousands of demonstrators, including students, filled the streets, demanding a ban on the Awami League. Islamist and right-wing parties, such as Jamaat-e-Islami and other opposition groups, joined the protests. They also called for the party to be labeled a terrorist organization.
The Awami League, formed in 1949 is among the oldest political parties in Bangladesh. It played a leading role in the independence of Bangladesh in 1971. 2024 however saw a rise of student movement against the party, triggered by hikes in fuel price, youth unemployment and corruption allegations. These protests also marked the death of about 1,400 protestors as per the UN, fueling the resistance. This marked finally the fall of the party in August 2024 following the protests. Former ruler Sheikh Hasina, who leads the Awami League, fled to exile in India. Bangladesh has since then formally requested India for her extradition.
The Awami League rejected this decision of the council. On its official Facebook page, it declared that, “All decisions of the illegal government are illegal.” The party vowed to continue operating, arguing that no formal order had come from the Election Commission. However, if the Commission cancels its registration, the party will lose the right to contest the upcoming general elections, likely in December 2025.
