Bangladesh’s interim government has imposed a ban on all activities of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid’s party, the Awami League, as reported by international media.
According to a news agency, Asif Nazrul, the legal affairs advisor to the Bangladeshi government, informed journalists late last night about the ban on Awami League’s activities.
He stated that the interim cabinet, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has decided to ban the Awami League’s online and other activities under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
This ban will remain in effect until a special tribunal completes hearings on the killings of hundreds of protesters during anti-government demonstrations in July and August of last year.
Following a special cabinet meeting, he further said that the purpose of this decision is to ensure national security and sovereignty.
It is worth noting that in July 2024, students began protesting to end the quota system in government jobs, which later escalated into violent demonstrations resulting in hundreds of deaths.
The United Nations Human Rights Office published a report in February this year expressing concern that 1,400 people may have been killed during the three weeks of protests against Hasina Wajid’s government.
