Australia’s ruling Labor Party passes special resolution, concerned about Yunus’s misrule

Staff Correspondent | July 27, 2025

The ruling Australian Labor Party, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating democracy and human rights situation in Bangladesh. The concern was expressed in a resolution adopted at the party’s 52nd annual conference, which has been sent to the Labor Party’s International Policy Committee for review.

The resolution states that since August 2024, an unelected government has taken power in Bangladesh, banning political opposition and major political parties, especially the Bangladesh Awami League, severely suppressing freedom of expression, and dismantling the judiciary and constitutional framework, which has dealt a deep blow to democratic governance and the rule of law.

The resolution also said that there has been an alarming increase in the rise of religious extremism, violence against minority communities and politically motivated attacks in Bangladesh. Places of worship, cultural institutions and indigenous communities are being targeted one after another. The delegates described the situation as a “state-sponsored campaign of cultural eradication.”

ACT Labor believes that such internal instability in Bangladesh is having a direct negative impact on security, trade and environmental cooperation in South Asia and the Indian Ocean region. The situation in Bangladesh also threatens the geopolitical structure in which Australia has been playing a key diplomatic role through platforms such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Quad.

In discussing the proposal, the representatives said, “Bangladesh is not just a partner state, but an indicator of democratic order and stability in our region. The country’s political future will play an important role in determining the direction of our joint regional future.”

The delegates also recalled that Australia and Bangladesh have a long history of cooperation in the areas of climate change mitigation, disaster management, education and maritime security. The future of this relationship depends on the establishment of democracy and justice.

The resolution calls on the Australian government to take more active diplomatic initiatives on the international stage to ensure inclusive, free and internationally monitored elections in Bangladesh; restore the independence of the judiciary and constitutional order in Bangladesh; ensure the safety of Bangladeshi religious and ethnic minorities, and secular institutions; and consider Australia’s targeted sanctions against individuals accused of human rights abuses.

While the proposal does not directly set national policy, it has been submitted to the International Policy Committee for consideration—a sign that Labor will take a stronger stance on foreign policy in the future. It also signals a commitment by Australian political and civil society to play a more active role in defending human rights and democracy in the international arena.