BNP Standing Committee Member Salahuddin Ahmed on Sunday welcomed the interim government’s move to amend the International Crimes Tribunal Act, paving the way for the Awami League to be brought under trial as a political party for alleged crimes against humanity.
Terming the move a “historic event,” Salahuddin said, “I have already welcomed those who played a crucial role in this. The decision to initiate the process of trying the Awami League under the amended Tribunal Act marks a significant turning point.”
He made the remarks while speaking at a discussion on state reform proposals by the Citizen Initiative, Citizen Coalition, and Citizen Alliance, held at the International Mother Language Institute.
Salahuddin claimed that BNP had formally proposed the trial of the Awami League as a party on multiple occasions, including a written submission to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on February 10. “This was a longstanding demand of the people. We placed it clearly—there was no need to go to Shahbagh,” he said, in an apparent swipe at recent street protests.
He further argued that if the interim administration had acted earlier, the political turbulence of recent days could have been avoided. “There are global precedents where fascist parties responsible for genocide have been tried and banned. Bangladesh must not be an exception.”
The BNP leader also urged the interim government to announce an electoral roadmap promptly. “The people are eager for a participatory election. Without a timely announcement, similar embarrassing situations may recur.”
The interim government, in an emergency meeting of the Advisory Council on Saturday, decided to ban all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act, with an official order expected imminently. The move follows rising public and political pressure over the party’s alleged role in past atrocities.