Following the issuance of a notification yesterday (May 12) by the Ministry of Home Affairs banning the activities of the Awami League, the interim government has released a statement.
The statement clarifies that this notification does not infringe upon the freedom of expression of any other political party or individuals holding dissenting opinions.
The government issued this statement in the late hours of Monday (May 12).
The statement reads that the May 12 notification regarding the prohibition of Awami League activities was issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Government of Bangladesh under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
According to the said law and notification, until the trial is completed at the International Crimes Tribunal, all activities of the Awami League (and its all affiliated organizations, associated organizations, and fraternal organizations) have been banned.
This includes any kind of publication, media, online and social media campaigning, processions, meetings, rallies, and organizing conferences. This restriction will apply to the leaders, activists, and members of these organizations.
The statement further clarifies that the aforementioned notification does not undermine the freedom of expression of any other political party or individuals holding dissenting views. Legitimate, constructive, or lawful analysis or opinions regarding the Awami League, its activities, or various steps taken by the government concerning the party are not curtailed by this notification.
Highlighting that there have been clear allegations of attacks, disappearances, murders, inhumane torture, terrorist activities, and crimes against humanity against the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated, associated, and fraternal organizations over the past approximately 15 years, especially during last year's mass uprising of students and the general public, the statement mentions that numerous cases are pending against the leaders and activists of these organizations in the International Crimes Tribunal and the criminal courts of the country on charges of these offenses.
In the statement, the government said that after August 5, 2024, the Awami League and its organizations have been involved in various terrorist activities, including attacks and incitement against the students and the general public who participated in the mass uprising, with the aim of obstructing the trials of these cases, creating panic among the public, and jeopardizing public safety.
This has particularly instilled fear in the minds of the plaintiffs and witnesses in the filed cases, creating the apprehension of disruption to the judicial process and the law and order situation of the country. It is in this context that the notification has been issued.
