Bangladesh's Interim Govt bans activities of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League
Bangladesh's interim government has formally banned all operations of the Awami League, the political party formerly led by ousted Sheikh Hasina, invoking the Anti-Terrorism Act and citing threats to national security.
The announcement, made late Saturday, follows a surge of mass protests spearheaded by the National Citizen Party (NCP)—a student-led movement born from last year’s uprising that led to Hasina’s removal from power.
The demonstrations have since drawn support from several Islamist and conservative groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami and other opposition factions, all of whom have demanded the Awami League be designated as a terrorist organization.
According to a government statement, the ban will stay in effect pending the outcome of a trial concerning the party and its leaders.
In a significant legal development, the government has amended the ICT Act to enable the prosecution of political parties and organizations—not just individuals—paving the way for the Awami League to be tried collectively for its alleged actions while in power.
Founded in 1949, the Awami League rejected the legitimacy of the ruling, declaring on its official Facebook page: 'All decisions of the illegal government are illegal.'
The current wave of turmoil began in July with student protests over job quota policies in the public sector. However, it quickly escalated into widespread political violence.
In October, the government had already taken action against the party's student wing, Bangladesh Chhatra League, labeling it a terrorist group for its involvement in brutal assaults on demonstrators.
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