Yunus Bans Awami League for Second Time After Dictator Yahya Khan

Staff Reporter | May 10, 2025

The interim government, which came to power through a change in regime following militant attacks in July-August last year, has declared the Bangladesh Awami League banned.

This marks the second time the Bangladesh Awami League has been banned. Previously, Pakistan’s military dictator Yahya Khan banned the party in 1971. Subsequently, under the leadership of the Awami League-led government, the Liberation War was fought, leading to Bangladesh’s independence.

On Saturday night, May 10, an emergency meeting of the interim government’s advisory council decided to ban the 76-year-old political party, which led the historic Liberation War and independence struggle.

Following the meeting, interim Law Advisor Asif Nazrul announced the decision to ban the party, which had been in power multiple times, during a press conference.

In a written statement, he said, “A special meeting of the advisory council was held today, Saturday, May 10, 2025. The meeting approved amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act. Under the amended law, the International Crimes Tribunal can now penalize political parties, their affiliates, or supporting groups.”

Dr. Asif Nazrul stated, “Until the trial proceedings against the Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders in the International Crimes Tribunal are completed, the party’s activities—including in cyberspace—have been banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act to ensure national security and sovereignty, protect July activists, and safeguard the tribunal’s plaintiffs and witnesses.”

He added that the necessary circulars would be issued on the next working day.

The advisor further mentioned that the advisory council meeting also decided to finalize and publish the July Declaration within the next 30 working days.

Meanwhile, the newly formed National Citizens’ Party (NCP) and other groups have been holding programs for the past two days demanding the ban of the Awami League.

Netizens, however, have dismissed these protests as a “drama” orchestrated with the backing of the Yunus government. They argue that the demonstrators have been mobilized with arrangements for refreshments and cooling facilities to push a specific agenda.

The NCP, formed by those involved in the July-August sabotage activities, had long demanded the ban of Awami League politics on various issues. The group, responsible for mob violence leading to killings, attacks, lawsuits, and destruction of party offices and activists’ homes, joined forces with militant leaders to demand the ban.

After former President Md. Abdul Hamid left for Thailand for medical treatment late Wednesday night, the radical NCP launched fresh programs.