Bangladesh’s interim government bans Awami League amid protests
The Awami League, which was once led by overthrown Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was banned by Bangladesh's interim governance on Saturday.
New Delhi (India) May 11: The Awami League, the political party of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, was banned by Bangladesh's interim government on Saturday while a trial over mass demonstrations that led to her removal last year is still ongoing.
The decision was made in line with the nation's anti-terrorism laws, and on the next business day, it is expected to be formally announced in the newspaper.
Until the International Crimes Tribunal concludes its trials against the Awami League and a number of its leading figures, the ban will remain in place.
An official statement states that,"The Advisory Council meeting discussed the need to protect the country's security and sovereignty, the security of the leaders and activists of the July Movement, and the protection of the plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal until the trial of the Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders is completed A decision has been taken to ban all activities of the Awami League, including in cyberspace, under the Anti-Terrorism Act."
According to government law and justice advisor Asif Nazrul, "it has been decided to ban the activities -- including in cyberspace -- of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the trial of the Awami League and its leaders ends," he told reporters.
The decision, according to Nazrul, was made to protect "the plaintiffs and the witnesses of the tribunal" as well as the nation's "sovereignty and security" and "the security of the protesters."
The administration's action was criticised by the Awami League as "illegitimate."
The ban comes a day after hundreds of people demonstrated outside Yunus's home, calling for Hasina's party to be banned.
Abdul Hamid, a former leader of the Awami League who is also being investigated, was able to leave the country on Thursday.
Since Hasina's overthrow, a temporary government has been in place in Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner.
Following her removal last year, Ms. Hasina and numerous senior party colleagues have been charged with murder in many cases. Since August 5, Ms. Hasina has been living in exile in India after protesters stormed her official residence shortly after she fled the country.
Aadrika Tayal
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