The interim government of Bangladesh has officially banned the Awami League, the party of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, citing its alleged role in the violent suppression of mass protests in July 2024 that reportedly left over 1,400 people dead.
The move, announced late Wednesday, comes as part of a broader crackdown by the administration of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who has been leading the country under an interim setup since Hasina was ousted earlier this year.
Government advisor Asif Nazrul confirmed that all activities of the Awami League, including online platforms, have been suspended under the Anti-Terrorism Act. "This decision has been taken to ensure the sovereignty and security of Bangladesh, to protect the protesters, as well as the plaintiffs and witnesses in the tribunal," he said.
The suspension is pending the outcome of a trial against the party, which stands accused of orchestrating a deadly clampdown on anti-government demonstrations in July. The United Nations has estimated that the clashes resulted in up to 1,400 fatalities.
Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in self-imposed exile in India, faces an arrest warrant issued by a Dhaka tribunal for alleged crimes against humanity. Former President Abdul Hamid, a senior Awami League figure also under investigation, left the country on Thursday, prompting disciplinary action against three airport police officers for negligence, officials said.
The interim government has also passed a controversial amendment to the country’s International Crimes Tribunal Act, enabling the prosecution of political parties and their affiliated organisations. The development has sparked renewed concerns among rights groups over the scope and transparency of the legal process.
In a statement, the Awami League condemned the ban as "illegitimate" and politically motivated. “This is nothing but a desperate attempt to erase the democratic legacy of our party,” the statement said.
The ban was announced just a day after thousands of demonstrators gathered outside the residence of interim leader Muhammad Yunus, demanding the dissolution of the Awami League for its alleged role in stoking political unrest.
Yunus, known internationally for his work on microfinance and poverty alleviation, assumed leadership of the caretaker government following weeks of unrest earlier this year that led to Hasina’s removal from office.
International observers have called for restraint and urged the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure due process and uphold democratic norms during the ongoing political transition.
The trial of the Awami League is expected to begin later this month.
