Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said the decision on whether Awami League will be banned as a political party rests with the courts and the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

The party’s status would depend on the outcome of legal proceedings over allegations of crimes against humanity, he said at a press briefing on the progress of various government activities at PID conference room at Secretariat.

Responding to a question about political activities surrounding the founding anniversary of the Awami League, whose activities are currently prohibited, and the deployment of the army in six districts, Zahed said there is often confusion regarding the party’s legal status.

The adviser said that until the judicial process is completed the party’s activities will remain prohibited under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009.

“As long as the legal proceedings continue, their activities will remain banned. Therefore, any programme undertaken by the party would constitute a violation of the law and it is natural for the government to take action in such cases,” he said.

About the deployment of the army, he said he personally did not believe that Awami League had the moral courage to undertake any significant action.

“To do something significant, one needs moral courage. I do not think the Awami League possesses that kind of moral courage,” he said.

Referring to the mass uprising in July, Zahed said people were able to stand in front of guns despite risks to their lives because they believed in their cause and wanted positive change for the country.