Interim government's Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus stated that the Awami League has not been banned, but rather its activities have been suspended for a specified period in the interest of political security.
He made this statement in response to a question during a conversation at Chatham House, a foreign policy think tank in London, on Wednesday (June 11).
During the discussion, moderated by Chatham House Director Bronwen Maddox, the Chief Advisor detailed the steps taken to implement the interim government's three responsibilities: reforms, justice for the July killings, and elections.
The moderator then asked him: "Regarding the July Charter, critics will say that many political parties are being excluded, those who do not agree with it, such as the Awami League; you are not making any room for them. Therefore, people are not being offered any alternatives. They say this is not a democratic process. This is an authoritarian step for Bangladesh, beautifully wrapped in many words about consensus."
In response, Dr. Yunus said, "Yes. Okay, there is a debate about this too. The debate is, is the Awami League a political party? If they can kill young people on the streets like this, abduct people like this, steal money like this, will we still call it a political party? So this is a debate. This is not a decision."
He added, "We thought that after Sheikh Hasina's departure on August 5, this would end. Now this is a new country where they are not present. But for those who fled, it has not ended. They have continued to operate from other countries in the same way while absent, inciting people, engaging in clashes on the streets. Now 10 months have passed, and no one from the party has expressed remorse, regret, or admitted guilt. No one has said, 'Someone gave an order, someone was killed, I am not responsible for this. I feel bad that I had to be a part of this.' There is no one like that among them. So for us, it's over, but for them, it's still ongoing."
The head of Bangladesh's interim government stated, "We don't feel safe; they protest on the streets, they threaten people. They have already threatened the leaders of this uprising. So, for the security of the country, for the security of the country's politics, the nation has decided that the activities of the Awami League will be suspended for a certain period. That's all we have done. We have not banned the Awami League. The Awami League's activities will remain suspended until the trials are concluded."
At this point, the moderator asked, "Why isn't the issue of trials being left to the next elected government? Why will the interim government handle this?"
Dr. Yunus replied, "I did not make this decision. Those who invited us to take responsibility assigned us this task."
Bringing up the ongoing debate in Bangladesh regarding the election schedule, the moderator commented, "All in all, many are saying that the elections will not be free and fair."
In response, the Chief Advisor said, "This will be the most beautiful election in the history of Bangladesh. The time is right, and the people are ready. After 17 years, you are getting a true election. The upcoming election will not be a routine vote to elect a new government; it will be a vote for a new Bangladesh. We want to say goodbye to the old Bangladesh and create a new Bangladesh."
Mentioning many reports of repression of the media in Bangladesh, the moderator asked for the Chief Advisor's reaction. Dr. Yunus replied, "That's not true. They have never had so much freedom in their lives. They can say whatever they want."
