Political decisions rest solely with political entities

The National Citizen Party yesterday condemned Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus' remark that the government had no plans to ban the Awami League.

"When the trials for crimes committed by the Awami League, including the Pilkhana massacre, the Shapla Chattar massacre, enforced disappearances, crossfires, electoral fraud, and the July killings, have made no visible progress, such a remark from a person holding a key position in the state is unacceptable," NCP Convener Nahid Islam said at a press briefing.   

On Thursday, the chief adviser told the International Crisis Group that the interim government had no plan to ban the AL, but individuals within its leadership accused of crimes, including murder and crimes against humanity, will be tried in Bangladeshi courts.

Responding to a query, Nahid said the decision on elections or whether a party can conduct political activities is entirely a political matter.

"This decision lies solely with the government, political parties, and the people. The army or any state institution has no jurisdiction to comment, propose plans, or make decisions on this issue," he said.

He said such practices should not exist in Bangladesh.

"Political decisions should come from the political arena through democratic means, and we aim to move towards that democratic process," said the NCP chief.

During the briefing at the Jatiya Nagorik Committee office at Banglamotor, Nahid said despite the recent UN report which explicitly stated that the crimes committed in Bangladesh in July are tantamount to "international crimes", the slow pace of the trial is condemnable.

"Since our inception, we have been saying that without ensuring trial for the crimes, acknowledgment of the crimes, and regret, any effort to allow the Awami League to continue as a political entity is tantamount to rehabilitating the fascists," Nahid said.

The party also demanded revoking the AL's registration with the Election Commission. "The NCP pledges to resist any attempt by this mafia group to return to politics," he added.

Nahid said all political parties must keep in mind that the AL is not a democratic political party; it is a fascist organisation.

"It [AL] was not defeated in an election. As an organisation, the Awami League made a deliberate decision to commit mass killings in Bangladesh. Consequently, it was overthrown through an unprecedented student-citizen uprising in the country's history. As a result, the Awami League currently exists outside the democratic framework," said the NCP convener.

He also urged the government and all anti-fascist political forces to unite to ensure the AL's trial and cancellation of its registration.

Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser (South) of the newly launched NCP, said politicians would do politics.

"Since the discussion we had was initiated by senior military authorities, we deem it as an interference in political affairs. Politics should be determined by politicians, and the course of political events or the future direction of politics should remain in their hands."

Hasnat stated that both formal and informal discussions have taken place with military officials since August 5 and the context of March 11 was different, as high-ranking officials were on the other side of the discussion.

"I have clarified the sequence of events in my statement, where everything has been presented [Facebook post]," he said.

He further explained that they were invited by the military to discuss various issues, including law and order.

Regarding a recent statement made by the army chief, Hasnat opined that many in the country reacted to it, considering it politically inappropriate.

"The way the head of government was addressed and the mention of an inclusive election were discussed [at the March 11 meeting]," he explained.

About security concerns, he said, "As long as the student-citizens and the anti-fascist political forces remain united, I don't have any security concerns."

Hasnat further said that after August 5, the name and symbol of the AL have become irrelevant.

"If any domestic or foreign conspiracy or any agency attempts to revive the party, we remain committed to the people, the oppressed, persecuted, and victims of enforced disappearances and those killed. We are not committed to any agency or foreign power."

At the briefing, NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossen said that the nationwide protests demanding the trial of AL and cancellation of its registration would continue.