he nation's oldest political party, effectively barring it from participating in future national elections. This decisive action follows a ban imposed by the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, citing threats to national security and ongoing investigations into alleged war crimes committed during the 2024 anti-government protests .
The suspension of the Awami League's registration comes in the wake of the 2025 Shahbagh protests, where demonstrators demanded the party's ban due to its alleged involvement in the deaths of hundreds of protesters during the July Revolution of 2024 . In response, the interim government has also banned all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations under the recently amended Anti-Terrorism Act .
Sheikh Hasina, who had ruled Bangladesh for over two decades and secured a fourth consecutive term in 2024 amid a widely boycotted election, fled to India in August 2024 following violent protests. The interim administration under Yunus, unaffiliated with any party, has proposed electoral reforms and hinted elections might be delayed until 2026 .
The international community, including the United Nations, has expressed concern over these developments, cautioning against actions that could undermine democratic pluralism in the country . As Bangladesh navigates this turbulent political landscape, the future of its democratic institutions remains uncertain.
0 Comments