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Published : 10 May 2025, 11:18 PM
Bangladesh’s post-uprising interim government has moved to formally ban the Awami League, the party of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, bowing to longstanding demands from the National Citizen Party (NCP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and other religion-based political factions.
The party that once led Bangladesh’s independence struggle will now face trial over alleged crimes against humanity for its role in suppressing the July Uprising.
The sweeping decision was announced late Saturday night following an emergency session of the Advisory Council, chaired by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.
At the press conference, Law Advisor Asif Nazrul outlined three key resolutions, the most consequential being a nationwide ban on all Awami League activities—including digital operations—until a final verdict is reached in a pending tribunal case.
The government also approved amendments to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, enabling the prosecution of political parties and affiliated groups for their alleged roles in suppressing the student-led July Uprising of 2024.
Nazrul cited threats to national security, sovereignty, and the safety of protestors, witnesses, and complainants as the basis for the urgent legal overhaul.
Reading from the official statement, he confirmed: “The law will now allow the International Crimes Tribunal to hold political parties—not just individuals—accountable for systemic acts of violence or repression.”
He added that the final version of the July Declaration, a key document underpinning the uprising’s legitimacy, will be published within 30 working days.
The move marks a dramatic escalation in Bangladesh’s political transition following the fall of the Awami League-led government and signals the interim authority’s intent to reshape the country’s legal and political framework.
As soon as news of the decision to ban the Awami League spread, protesters gathered at Shahbagh and the InterContinental Dhaka hotel intersection burst into cheers.
Many shouted slogans saying: “News just came — Awami League has been banned.”
Earlier, Oct 23, in response to the demands of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, the interim government banned Chhatra League, the student wing of the Awami League, under the Anti-Terrorism Act for its alleged involvement in “terrorist” activities.
Now, following the fall of the Hasina government, the Yunus administration—who assumed power three days later—has moved to ban the Awami League under the same law until trial proceedings are complete.
Jamaat-e-Islami held a thanksgiving rally at the Moghbazar intersection in the capital at midnight.
PROCESSION AT DHAKA UNIVERSITY
A group of residential students from Dhaka University halls brought out jubilant processions across the campus, welcoming the announcement of the decision to ban the Awami League.
Around 12:30am on Sunday, students were seen marching with slogans near Raju Memorial Sculpture, the VC Chattar and outside the Rokeya Hall.
They shouted, “Find League, send them to jail”, “Breaking news, Awami League is now banned”, “Bangladesh Zindabad”, Awami League Murdabad”.
SHAHBAGH’S REVERSAL
On Aug 5, 2024, the longstanding rule of the Awami League was overthrown by a student-led uprising, marking the end of 15 years of its governance.
Hasina fled to India after stepping down as prime minister. Three days after the fall of the Awami League, an interim government assumed power.
Following the uprising in July-August, numerous cases were filed against Hasina and other leaders of the Awami League for their alleged involvement in the deaths and injuries during the protests.
The same tribunal that had sentenced top Jamaat-e-Islami leaders to death for war crimes during the 1971 war was now being used by the Yunus government to initiate legal proceedings against the Awami League and her associates.
Arrest warrants were issued for Hasina in relation to charges of “genocide” and “crimes against humanity” committed during the attempt to suppress the uprising.
The demands for banning the Awami League had been raised by the leaders of the Anti-discrimination Student Movement from the very beginning.
The movement, however, the gained momentum three days ago, following former President Abdul Hamid's departure from the country.
Earlier, on Thursday night, a group of protesters led by Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the NCP’s southern unit, staged a sit-in outside Yunus’s residence.
The demonstration drew support from the Jamaat-e-Islami and its student front Islami Chhatra Shibir, AB Party, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Hifazat-e-Islam, and student groups affiliated with the Anti-discrimination Student Movement.
Following Friday prayers, protesters set up a stage at the Minto Road entry point and held a rally, brandishing placards and banners demanding that the Awami League be outlawed.
From the rally, Hasnat announced a blockade at Shahbagh. By Friday afternoon, demonstrators had begun their sit-in at Shahbagh, which continued into the evening.
Protesters shouted slogans such as “Ban the Awami League now”, “Find League, send them to jail”, “Ban, ban, Awami League”, “One demand, one goal, League not come back”, “One, two, three, four, Chuppu leave your throne”, “Cancel Awami League’s registration”, and “Delhi or Dhaka? Dhaka Dhaka”.
On Saturday afternoon, a fresh “mass gathering” at Shahbagh reiterated the demand to ban the ousted Awami League.
Speaking at the gathering, Hasnat said: “Bangladesh is now split in two: on one side, the fascist forces; on the other, the Bangladeshi people. Those who oppose banning the Awami League are the fascists. Those who support it are the true Bangladeshis.”
At 7:30 pm, Hasnat gave the interim government one hour to meet their demands. “Interim [government], ban the Awami League. I’m giving you one hour.
“If the announcement doesn’t come within this hour, we will take control of the area near InterContinental Dhaka hotel to Banglamotor.”
He added, “We are not retreating anymore. We will leave the streets only after the Awami League is banned. We will announce even tougher programmes.”
Around 8:30pm, the Advisory Council began the emergency meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna, which continued until 10pm.
Meanwhile, part of the crowd at Shahbagh moved as a group and began occupying the intersection near the InterContinental Dhaka hotel.
On an adjacent road leading to the chief advisor’s residence, a large number of police personnel were seen deployed, keeping watch over the developing situation.
At 10pm, the Advisory Council issued a statement, after which celebrations began among the demonstrators.
Many observers have drawn parallels between the current Shahbagh protest that led to the banning of the Awami League and the 2013 Ganajagaran Mancha movement.
That earlier protest had begun when a group of bloggers and online activists launched a campaign at Shahbagh after Jamaat leader Abdul Quader Molla was sentenced to life imprisonment for war crimes.
Their demand was for capital punishment for all war criminals.
At that time, the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act did not permit the state to appeal a verdict.
But under intense pressure from the Shahbagh protesters, the government amended the law to allow such appeals.
Following the state’s appeal, the Supreme Court overturned Quader Molla’s life sentence and imposed the death penalty.
Executions of five top Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and one BNP leader followed for crimes committed during the 1971 Liberation War.
The Shahbagh movement continued for over a year and also raised demands for the banning of Jamaat-e-Islami and trying the party itself for war crimes.
After 11 years, from Thursday to Saturday, a reverse image of that movement unfolded at Shahbagh—with Jamaat and the religion-based parties that had opposed the 2013 movement now standing in solidarity.
At Saturday’s rally, NCP leader Hasnat said: “Fascism began here at Shahbagh in 2013, and it will end here too. Our views and approaches may differ, but we are united in our resolve to see the Awami League banned. Just as Nimrod and Pharaoh fell, so too will Hasina.”
