Parties welcome ban on AL activities

Political parties have welcomed the interim government's decision to ban all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the trial of the party and its leaders is completed.

They also called for the prompt prosecution of all fallen autocrats and their aides.

The interim government, led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, made the decision to ban all activities of Awami League on Saturday night, following three days of protests demanding a ban on the party for 15 years of fascist rule.

Parties and organisations that participated in the demonstrations include the National Citizen Party (NCP), Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolan Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam, Islami Chhatra Shibir, Islami Chhatra Andolan Bangladesh, Bangladesh Khelafat Majlish, Inquilab Mancha, Bangladesh Ganatantrik Chhatra Sangsad, and Amar Bangladesh Party.

The BNP yesterday expressed satisfaction over the government's move.

In a statement, the party's Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, "We are pleased that, albeit delayed, the interim government decided last night [Saturday night] to ban the activities of the fascist party Awami League and all organisations affiliated with it, in the interest of swiftly prosecuting those involved with the fascist regime for crimes against humanity and ensuring an unhindered trial process."

He added that the move to amend the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to facilitate the prosecution of the fascist party was the right decision, as the AL had been involved in enforced disappearances, murders, oppression, and prolonged misrule.

"But had this decision been taken earlier as per our demand, the government would not have found itself in the embarrassing and undesirable position of acting under pressure."

Fakhrul noted that during a meeting with the chief adviser on February 10, they submitted a letter demanding that the Awami League be brought under judicial proceedings as a political party for genocide and crimes against humanity. At a subsequent meeting on April 16, they submitted another letter reiterating the same demand and calling for the country's political arena to be "cleansed of filth".

The BNP leader said that during discussions with the chief adviser, the party had clearly stated that banning the fascist AL through a legal process was both possible and necessary.

"We have repeatedly raised this demand in various meetings, rallies, and discussions. It is worth noting that we, as a matter of principle, oppose banning political parties through administrative orders. In line with that stance, the BNP protested the previous fascist government's decision to ban Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami."

In his reaction, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman said, "Our heartfelt demand has been partially fulfilled through the banning of Awami League's activities. But it has not yet been fully realised."

Regarding the trial of AL, he said, "We have repeatedly met with the families of the martyrs. They do not seek financial assistance from the government. Instead, they want swift justice against Sheikh Hasina and her accomplices," he told a street rally at the capital's Moghbazar intersection early yesterday.

The Jamaat ameer said the banning of AL's activities marked a partial fulfilment of public demands.

"The fallen autocrats, fascists and their aides must be brought to justice without delay. All legitimate demands of the people must be fulfilled. Zero tolerance must be shown towards the killers. The people want to see their punishment immediately."

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser (South) of NCP, said protesters welcomed the interim government's decision to ban all activities of AL.

He added they would remain vigilant during the implementation of the decision and urged all demonstrators occupying the Shahbagh intersection to return home until further notice.

While briefing reporters at Shahbagh around 3:30am yesterday, he said, "We have been witnessing various delays regarding the trial of the Awami League. Safe exits were being provided to Awami League men accused of genocide.

"Tomorrow [Sunday] is a government holiday. We have been informed that the official gazette [on the ban] will be issued the day after tomorrow [Monday]. On Monday [today], we will celebrate with a victory procession once the gazette is published."

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Ameer Syed Muhammad Rezaul Karim said yesterday that declaring a ban on Awami League's activities until judicial proceedings are completed was a step forward in freeing the country from autocracy.

However, he noted that the revolutionary masses had expected the Awami League to be permanently banned and urged the government to make sincere efforts to meet this public expectation.

"It is unfortunate that to secure a ban on the Awami League, the people had to launch a continuous movement under the scorching heat of Baishakh, even blockading important areas such as the chief adviser's residence. Nonetheless, we welcome the decision taken yesterday [Saturday night] by the advisory council. The people had expected a complete ban on the Awami League."

Meanwhile, Bazlur Rashid Firoz, general secretary of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, in a statement yesterday said that banning the Awami League's political activities through an executive order would only generate public sympathy for the autocratic AL.

He demanded that the government prosecute AL as a political party, saying the party had lost the moral right to operate in Bangladesh due to its responsibility for the July massacre.

Firoz also called on the government to try Jamaat-e-Islami for war crimes and genocide during the 1971 Liberation War, alongside bringing the AL to justice for the July massacre.

In a statement yesterday, Ganosamhati Andolan Chief Coordinator Zonayed Saki and Executive Coordinator Abul Hasan Rubel said over the past 15 years, Awami League has been involved in enforced disappearances, killings, suppression of public voice, disenfranchisement, corruption, looting, and money laundering.

Most recently, in July and August of 2024, they carried out indiscriminate killings. Therefore, it is essential that, alongside prosecuting Sheikh Hasina and her associates for these crimes, the Awami League as a political party must also be brought to trial.

"Only through the judicial process and the establishment of justice can the future of Bangladesh be secured," the statement said.

The leaders called upon the people to remain united to establish a new political arrangement through justice, reform, and elections.