In a historic decision that has sent shockwaves across Bangladesh’s political landscape, the interim government has banned the the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act. It is the country’s oldest and once-dominant political party. The decision was made on Saturday amid ongoing war crimes proceedings against senior Awami League leaders, including former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who remains in self-imposed exile in India.

According to government officials, the ban direct response to the Awami League’s role in the violent crackdown on the mass student-led demonstrations during July and August 2024. The United Nations approximated that over 1,400 protesters were murdered in what it termed a "brutal and disproportionate use of force." Asif Nazrul, a lawyer advising the interim government, stated, “It has been decided to ban the activities including online and offline operations of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the tribunal reaches a verdict.” Nazrul also stated that the action was taken "to maintain national sovereignty and secure the safety of protest survivors, witnesses, and plaintiffs."

In a significant legal overhaul, the interim government has also amended the International Crimes Tribunal Act. The new amendment allows for political parties, not just individuals to be prosecuted for crimes against humanity.This shift allows the authorities to hold the Awami League to account as an organisation, potentially opening the door to additional legal and financial measures against the party.

Sheikh Hasina Remains In Exile

Bangladesh's longest-serving prime minister Sheikh Hasina and daughter of the nation's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman has refused to go back to Dhaka despite an arrest warrant issued last year. She has been accused of crimes against humanity in the 2024 suppression of protests. Thousands took to the streets outside Yunus's Dhaka residence to protest against the official disbanding of the Awami League. Once responsible for taking the country to freedom in 1971, the party is now widely blamed by civil society and youth groups for “betraying the spirit of the liberation war.” In a symbolic defeat, ex-Awami League leader and former president Abdul Hamid managed to flee the country on Thursday. Following this, three senior police officers tasked with overseeing airport security were dismissed for negligence.

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From Freedom Movement To Terror Tag

Established in 1949 under the name East Pakistan Awami Muslim League, the Awami League played a pivotal role in the 1952 Language Movement and led Bangladesh's independence movement in 1971 under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. It established the nation's first post-liberation government. But in the past few decades, the opponents alleged that the party grew authoritarian under Sheikh Hasina's rule. Between 2009 and 2024, her administration was characterised by growing repression of opposition, arrest of opposition leaders, and charges of manipulated elections.

The Awami League has called the interim government’s actions “unconstitutional” and “a political witch-hunt.” “The ban is illegitimate and motivated by vengeance,” said a statement released by the party’s remaining leadership. “We demand immediate international intervention.” The country remains at a political crossroads. While many celebrate the fall of what they consider a repressive regime, others worry about the precedent of banning political parties outright. The interim government has vowed free and fair elections by the end of 2025 but have not set a date.

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