The BNP has expressed satisfaction over the interim government’s decision to suspend all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act, pending the completion of its trial and that of its leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).
In a statement issued on Sunday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir termed the move would help ensure an uninterrupted trial process for crimes against humanity committed under the previous regime.
“We are pleased that, though delayed, the interim government has taken the step of banning the activities of the fascist Awami League and all its affiliated organisations,” the statement read. “This decision is necessary to ensure justice for victims of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and prolonged state repression.”
He further said the amendment to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to enable the trial of a political party was a correct and necessary step.
“But had this decision been taken earlier as per our demand, the government would not have found itself in the embarrassing and undesirable position of acting under pressure,” Fakhrul added.
The BNP leader noted that his party had formally placed this demand during a meeting with the Chief Adviser on February 10 this year, submitting a letter calling for the trial of the Awami League for genocide and crimes against humanity.
A follow-up letter was submitted at another meeting on April 16, reiterating the demand for prompt action against what the BNP terms the “fallen fascist party,” its leaders, and former government officials.
“We made it clear in our discussions that it is both legally possible and politically essential to bring the Awami League under the purview of judicial proceedings,” Fakhrul said. “We have raised this demand consistently across meetings, rallies, and press briefings.”
He also reiterated BNP’s principled stance against banning political parties through administrative orders. “We protested the previous regime’s last-minute decision to ban Jamaat-e-Islami and still believe such actions must be taken through judicial processes.”
For 16 long years, Fakhrul said, the disenfranchised people of the country have been fighting for their right to vote and for the restoration of democracy — enduring disappearances, murders, imprisonments, and oppression —in their struggle to overthrow fascism.
He urged the interim government to heed the growing public frustration over the absence of a clear roadmap for democratic restoration.
The Council of Advisers, in a special meeting held late Saturday night at the State Guest House Jamuna, approved the ban on all Awami League activities, including its online presence, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, until completion of the ICT trials.
The council gave final approval to an ordinance to amend the Anti-terror Act of 2009.