Bangladesh may ban Awami League soon

Dhaka

Bangladesh's interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, is seriously thinking about banning the Awami League, the country’s oldest political party. The move follows public and political pressure accusing the party of dictatorship and terrorist acts.

In a statement released Friday, the government said it is reviewing the demands from various parties and groups. It is also considering a UN report that mentions terrorist activities by Awami League leaders and supporters.

The government has already banned Chhatra League, the Awami League’s student wing, which was labeled a terrorist group. Officials are now discussing with other political parties and may soon decide on the Awami League’s future.

The interim administration also plans to change the International Criminal Court Act so that parties involved in crimes against humanity can be punished. It promised to take legal action against people involved in such crimes, including former officials of the previous government.

Sheikh Hasina, the former Prime Minister and Awami League President, was removed from power during a mass uprising in August last year. She is now living in exile, while many of her party members have gone into hiding. Former President Abdul Hamid, an Awami League veteran, flew to Bangkok with family recently, sparking public anger.

Protests are happening in front of the interim leader’s home, the Jamuna. Protesters, led by the National Citizens Party, are demanding an immediate ban on the Awami League. Though many political groups support the ban, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) opposes banning any political party.