The Government of Bangladesh has officially banned all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated, associate, and like-minded organizations through a gazette notification issued on Monday (May 12).
The announcement was made by Lieutenant General (Retd.) Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, the interim government’s home advisor.
According to the notification signed by Senior Secretary Nasimul Gani, the decision stems from the party’s alleged involvement in widespread human rights violations and criminal activities during its time in power from January 6, 2009, to August 5, 2024. These include accusations of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, arson, rape, and acts of political repression, which reportedly created a state of fear and terror across the country.
The notification further states that between July 15 and August 5, 2024, amid a mass student and public uprising that led to the party’s ouster from power, Awami League members and affiliates were involved in suppressing the movement through unlawful arrests, killings, arson attacks, looting, and other acts that have been identified as crimes against humanity. These allegations have been substantiated by both domestic and international reports, and multiple cases are currently under trial at the International Crimes Tribunal and other courts.
The government cited credible evidence indicating that since August 5, 2024, members of the Awami League and its affiliated groups have continued to engage in subversive activities. These include inciting violence through rallies and provocative publications, using social media for incitement by fugitive leaders, and attempts to destabilize the state and obstruct legal proceedings against party members. These actions are viewed as direct threats to national security, sovereignty, and public order.
Invoking Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act (Amendment) Ordinance 2025 and the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009, the government has deemed it necessary to prohibit all activities of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations until legal proceedings against its leaders and members at the International Crimes Tribunal are concluded.
The ban covers all forms of public communication and organization by the party, including publications, rallies, meetings, conferences, and social media activity. The notification states that the order takes immediate effect by the directive of the President.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission of Bangladesh has suspended the official registration of the Awami League as a political party. The announcement was made by Akhter Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Election Commission, during a press briefing at the EC Secretariat in Agargaon, Dhaka, on Monday night.
He said the decision follows the government’s earlier move to ban all activities of the Awami League, including its affiliated, associate, and like-minded organizations, as declared by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
"In light of the government’s declaration, the Election Commission has decided to suspend the registration of the Bangladesh Awami League," Akhter Ahmed added.
