Yunus: Can Awami League be called a political party?

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has questioned whether the Awami League can be called a political party, given the accusations it faces of violence, corruption and enforced disappearances.

The interim prime minister attended a conversation hosted by the Royal Institute of International Affairs at Chatham House in the UK on Wednesday.

Yunus said: “There is a debate over whether the Awami League can truly be called a political party when it is accused of killing young people, making citizens disappeared and stealing public money.”

"Would you still call it a political party? So, that's a debate, not a judgement," he added.

The chief advisor said the interim government has not banned the party but has suspended its activities “in the interest of national and political security”.

“Activities of the Awami League will be suspended for the time being... until the trial is done. That's all we have done.”

He added that after deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on Aug 5, 2024, many assumed the party was undone but some of its former leaders continue to provoke unrest.

Awami League activists who fled the country – not one of them – expressed regret, rather they are stirring up the people, Yunus said.

Amid pressure from July movement student leaders, the National Citizen Party (NCP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and other religious groups, the caretaker administration amended the law in May to allow for the trial of the Awami League as a political party.

Explaining why the party’s activities were suspended, Yunus said: “We don’t feel safe on the streets. They’re threatening the leaders of this movement.

“So, for the safety of the country and its politics, the nation has decided to suspend the activities of the Awami League for the time being.

Yunus also made it clear that leaving the trials to a future elected government would not be the right course. “That would not be right,” he said.

He said the interim government is focusing on three main tasks: justice, reforms and elections.

“Those who asked us to take responsibility gave us these three tasks. We’ve accepted them and we’re following that path.”

Dismissing accusations of media suppression, Yunus said, “That’s false. Not at all true. The media has never had this kind of freedom before. They can say anything they want.”

He said the July Charter will be announced in July in the presence of all political parties, and the next election will be held based on it.

Yunus brushed aside calls for a referendum on reforms, saying many would find it meaningless. “Many people won’t understand why this referendum is happening. So if the parties agree, it’s more realistic that way.”

On concerns about the timing and fairness of the general election, he insisted this would be “the most beautiful election” in Bangladesh’s history.

“The timing is right, the people are ready. For the first time in seventeen years, you will have a real election. People are excited that they will finally be able to vote.”

“This election is not just about electing a new government. It’s a vote for a new Bangladesh,” Yunus said. “We want to say goodbye to the old Bangladesh and build something new.”