United News of Bangladesh

The United States has said they support a free and democratic process as well as fair and transparent legal processes for all individuals, noting that they are aware of the ban imposed by the interim government on the activities of Bangladesh Awami League. "We are aware that the interim government has banned the Awami League from all political activities until a special tribunal for the party and its leaders concludes," said Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the US Department  of State. He made the remarks when a journalist sought US' views on banning activities of the Awami League in Bangladesh during a regular briefing in Washington DC on May 13. Pigott said they do not support any one political party in Bangladesh over another. He said they urge all countries, including Bangladesh, to respect the freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association for all. Delhi concerned over ban on AL activities; supports early election Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Tuesday said the ban on activities of this party is necessary to protect national security and sovereignty, ensure the safety of July Movement activists and safeguard plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal. Alam said they have witnessed how Awami League completely destroyed the country’s democratic fabric, severely squeezed the political space and compromised sovereignty during its 15-year long tyrannical and kleptocratic rule. "The wounds caused by the crimes against humanity perpetrated by this party are still fresh," the Press Secretary told UNB. Gazette issued banning AL activities under Anti-Terrorism Act Responding to a separate question, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the US Department  of State said they value their "partnership with the people of Bangladesh" spanning more than 50 years.  He said they remain committed to 'deepening" their partnership by working with the interim government.   

India on Tuesday expressed concerns over the ban imposed by the interim government on the activities of Bangladesh Awami League. "The ban on the Awami League without due process is a concerning development," said Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal during a regular media briefing in New Delhi. Bangladesh urges India to take measures to stop push-ins As a democracy, he said, India is naturally concerned at the "curtailment of democratic freedoms and shrinking political space." "We strongly support the early holding of free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh," said the MEA spokesperson. The government has issued a gazette notification banning all activities of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated organisations under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) completes the trial of the party’s leaders and activists.

The government has issued a gazette notification banning all activities of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated organisations under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) completes the trial of the party’s leaders and activists. The Public Security Division of the Home Ministry issued the gazette notification on Monday. According to the notification, all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated and like-minded organisations are prohibited until the ICT concludes the trial against their leaders and activists. The notification states that any form of publication, media engagement, online and social media campaigns, rallies, meetings, assemblies, and conferences organised by the Awami League or any of its affiliated bodies are strictly prohibited. BNP happy with ban on Awami League activities Earlier, in a special meeting, the Council of Advisers decided to ban all activities of the Awami League — including in cyberspace — under the Anti-Terrorism Act until the conclusion of the trial by the International Crimes Tribunal. Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul made the announcement while briefing reporters in front of the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday, 10 May. He stated that the decision was taken to safeguard the country’s security and sovereignty, ensure the safety of the leaders and activists of the July movement, and protect the plaintiffs and witnesses involved in the tribunal proceedings. The meeting also approved an amendment to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act. As per the amendment, the International Crimes Tribunals will have the authority to prosecute and punish any political party, its affiliates, or associated groups, Dr Nazrul added. Besides, the Council of Advisers decided to finalise and publish the July Declaration within the next 30 working days. Govt okays draft of ordinance to ban activities of people or entities involved in terrorism Earlier, on May 9, the government announced its plan to immediately amend the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to incorporate provisions for the trial of associations and political parties linked to crimes against humanity.

A group of people injured during last year's July uprising staged a sit-in protest at Dhaka’s busy Shahbagh intersection on Sunday morning, demanding justice and a formal ban on the Awami League (AL). The demonstration disrupted the normal traffic flow in the area, causing inconvenience to commuters, especially those heading towards hospitals for medical care.  

Hasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party’s (NCP) southern region, on Saturday night announced a fresh programme, ‘March to Jamuna’, protesting the interim government’s “failure” to present a clear roadmap within the declared deadline to ban the Awami League. Hundreds of demonstrators were seen marching from Shahbagh chanting slogans like “Ban, ban Awami League” and gathering in front of Hotel InterContinental, near the Chief Adviser’s Residence Jamuna. Law enforcement agencies set up barricades in front of the hotel and ramped up security in the area. The announcement came around 8:45pm from a mass rally at Shahbagh, where Hasnat Abdullah said the protesters would move to Hotel InterContinental as the interim government did not issue any declaration regarding the ban within the previously stated time. Earlier, addressing the rally, he said, “We will wait for one hour. If we don’t get a clear roadmap within this time, we will announce the ‘March to Jamuna.” Protest Seeking AL Ban: Crowd grows larger at Shahbagh In a Facebook post earlier today, Hasnat claimed that despite the fall of autocracy through the people’s uprising in July, the interim government has yet to take steps to ban the Awami League. He also alleged that in the past two days, attempts have been made by various quarters to discredit and divide the movement. “Let it be clear, this movement belongs to no single party or ideology,” he wrote, “People from all walks of life, along with political, social, and cultural organisations, are united in the demand to ban the Awami League.” He also announced that all future programmes would be held under the banner of the “Fesibad Birodhi Jatiya Oikkya.”

A large number of people gathered for the second consecutive day at Shahbagh on Saturday afternoon, demanding a ban on Awami League politics. The demonstration, which began on Friday afternoon at Shahbagh, gained further momentum as people from different walks of life were seen to join the protest. People began gathering at the Shahbagh intersection and around the National Museum, causing severe traffic disruptions on Shahbagh and nearby roads, including Banglamotor, Aziz Super Market and the Matsya Bhaban intersection. Protesters were seen chanting anti-Awami League slogans and holding placards. Manik Hossain, one of the demonstrators, said, "I came here to support this movement. Those responsible for killing so many people in July should be banned." Another protester named Rifat, who came from Paltan, said, "This is no longer just a student movement. This is everyone’s movement now." DMP bans rallies near CA’s residence, adjacent areas Addressing the disruption caused by the protest, he added, "To gain something good, some sacrifices must be made." Earlier, National Citizen Party (NCP)’s Southern Region Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah announced the mass rally to press home their 3-point demand. In a Facebook post on Friday night, he wrote that a mass gathering will be held at Shahbagh from 3pm. The demands are declaring Awami League as a terrorist organisation and banning it, including a provision for the group trial of Awami League under the International Crimes Tribunal Act and issuing the July declaration. On Friday, protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection around 4:40 pm, demanding a ban on the Awami League and vowing to continue their sit-in until their demands are met.

A group of college and madrasa students along with local residents staged a road blockade in front of Dania College in Dhaka’s Jatrabari area on Dhaka-Chattogram highway on Saturday, demanding a ban on Awami League. The blockade began around 11am, disrupting vehicular movement in the area. DMP bans rallies near CA’s residence, adjacent areas A long tailback was created on the busy on the highway with vehicles stranded under the scorching sun for hours. Traffic Inspector Mahmudur Rahman, who was on duty at the scene, said the protesters withdrew the blockade around 1pm after which traffic movement gradually returned to normal. Earlier, in a Facebook post on Friday night, National Citizen Party (NCP)’s Southern Region Chief Organiser Hasnat Abdullah wrote that a mass gathering will be held at Shahbagh from 3pm on Saturday.

Protesters blocked the Shahbagh intersection around 4:40 pm on Friday, demanding a ban on the Awami League (AL), vowing to continue their sit-in until their demands are met. The announcement was made by Hasnat Abdullah, chief coordinator of the National Citizen Party (NCP) for the southern region, during a rally held in front of the InterContinental Hotel. “Our demand has not reached the ears of the interim government,” Hasnat declared at around 4:30 pm. “So we are leaving the rally venue and heading towards Shahbagh. We will not leave until our demand is fulfilled,” he asserted. Shortly after the declaration, a procession marched from Minto Road and reached Shahbagh at around 4:40 pm, where demonstrators began a sit-in. Protesters gather near Jamuna demanding ban on AL During the rally, Hasnat accused the Awami League of dismantling democracy. “The Awami League is not a political party by any means. In 1974, it formed ‘BAKSAL’ and replaced democracy with a mafia system,” he said. Hasnat also alleged, “Fifteen lakh people died of starvation due to the Awami League’s looting. The blood of the people is on their hands. With India’s support, they killed patriotic army officers.”

Leaders and activists from various political parties, including the NCP, began gathering at the Fountain Square of Mintu Road near the residence of the Chief Adviser following Jumma' prayers on Friday. Earlier, protesters performed Jumma' prayers behind the stage set-up near Jamuna,  the CA’s residence. Soon after the prayers, a rally began at the same location, with demonstrators chanting slogans and demanding a political ban on the Awami League. Participants arrived in small processions, gradually swelling the crowd. To ease the discomfort of the sweltering heat, the North City Corporation deployed a water sprinkler truck at the venue, reportedly under government sponsorship. Govt considers ban on Awami League citing dictatorship, terror links Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the NCP’s southern zone, had called for mass participation earlier in the day, urging people from all walks of life to join the rally in front of the SAARC Fountain and Hotel Intercontinental. “There will be a sea of people,” said Hasnat, adding,  “People will see who truly wants to ban the AL.” Ilias Kanchan’s party expresses solidarity with NCP to ban AL Sarjis Alam, the NCP’s northern zone chief organiser, joined the demonstration in the morning after travelling from his hometown Panchagarh, where he had been on Thursday night when NCP-led students took position in front of Jamuna. Several other political groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Inquilab Mancha, Islamic Movement, and AB Party, have expressed solidarity with the protesters. The movement gained momentum after a group of students led by the NCP gathered in front of the CA’s residence on Wednesday night, pressing for a ban on the Awami League.  The sit-in formally began around 10 pm on Thursday under Hasnat’s leadership.

The National Citizen Party (NCP) has called for a greater rally demanding a political ban on the fallen Awami League in the capital after the Jummah prayer. Hasnat Abdullah, chief organiser of the party’s southern zone, made the call on Friday morning, urging people from all walks of life to attend the event to be held in front of the fountain located east of the residence of the chief adviser and in front of Hotel Intercontinental. Hasnat said preparations for the stage in the SAARC Fountain area have already begun, hoping that it will draw a huge crowd. "There will be a sea of people," he said, adding that people will see who truly wants to ban the AL." The party’s northern zone chief organizer Sarjis Alam, who had been in his hometown Panchagarh on Thursday night when the students led by the NCP took position in front of the state guesthouse Jamuna on the demand, joined the protests on Friday morning. Students led by NCP leaders rally in front of Jamuna, demand ban on Awami League Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami, Inquilab Mancha, Islamic Movement, AB Party, and other political parties have also expressed their solidarity. A group of students, led by the NCP gathered in front of the Chief Adviser's residence on Wednesday night demanding a political ban on the AL. The demonstration began around 10pm under the leadership of Hasnat Abdullah.