Protests lead to prohibition of activities by ex-PM Hasina's party in Bangladesh
BANGLADESH IN TURBULENCE: The new temporary regime outlaws the Awami League and amends the ICT Act
Bangladesh's transitional administration, led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, has taken a radical step, postponing the elections until 2026 and banning the Awami League — the political organization of ousted ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina — under the Anti-Terrorism Act. This drastic action follows a string of student-led protests against the Awami League's alleged role in suppressing demonstrations that left hundreds dead.
The decision comes in the wake of intense street demonstrations by the National Citizen Party and various opposition groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami, that have called for the Awami League to be branded as a terrorist organization. The ban will continue until the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) completes the trial of the party and its leadership.
The ICT Act has also been amended to enable the tribunal to prosecute not only individuals but also political parties and linked organizations. This amendment paves the way for the Awami League to be tried as a collective entity for the alleged atrocities committed during its tenure.
The Awami League, established in 1949, responded to the ban by proclaiming it as "illegitimate" on their official Facebook page.
Recent months in Bangladesh have been marked by escalating tensions and violent clashes. In July 2024, student protests against public sector job quotas morphed into one of the most violent periods of political turmoil since the country's independence in 1971. The ensuing protests forced Hasina to seek refuge in India, and the transitional government assumed control.
In October 2024, the government banned the Awami League's student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League, on charges of terrorist activities for their alleged role in attacks on protesters. According to UN reports, up to 1,400 protesters were killed during the suppression of demonstrations in July 2024.
The Awaki League remains under self-imposed exile in India, with an arrest warrant out for Hasina on charges of crimes against humanity related to her administration's role in the deadly clashes.
The ban on the Awami League and the recent developments in the ICT Act are indicative of a significant shift in Bangladesh's political landscape. Observers fear that these moves, while aiming to restore stability, may erode the country's democratic values in the long run. Investors are advised to focus on sectors with minimal political exposure as the situation progresses.
- In 2026, the transitional administration led by Muhammad Yunus, citing war-and-conflicts and politics, may return the Awami League to their previous position of illegality, as the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) continues the trial of the party and its leadership.
- General news sources often report on the protesters who continue to call for the Awami League to be declared a terrorist organization, positioning themselves against the current government in Dhaka.
- The National Citizen Party, Jamaat-e-Islami, and various other opposition groups are regular contributors to the Crime-and-Justice section of news, as they continue to garner support for their stance against the Awami League.
- If the Awami League is found guilty of the atrocities committed during their tenure, it could possibly warrant a return to a more tumultuous era in Bangladesh's history, as the party and its affiliated organizations face harsh consequences for their activities.
- The increases in violence and clashes, reminiscent of the 1971 independence period, have dominated the headlines in Bangladesh, emphasizing the critical importance of understanding the country's political landscape, particularly with regards to the position of the Awami League.
