Interim govt decides to ban AL under anti-terror law
It also approved an amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act, allowing the Tribunal to punish any political party, its affiliated organisations, or supporter groups
Highlights:
- Advisory Council approves amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act
- The tribunal will be able to punish any political party, its affiliated orgs, or supporter groups
- All activities of AL banned until trial of the party, its leaders completed at ICT
- A formal circular to be issued on the next working day
- July Proclamation to be published within the next 30 working days
The interim government on Saturday (10 May) decided to ban all activities of Awami League, including cyberspace, under the Anti Terrorism Act until the trial of the party and its leaders.
It also approved an amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act, allowing the Tribunal to punish any political party, its affiliated organisations, or supporter groups.
The decisions were made during a special Advisory Council meeting held at the Chief Adviser's residence last night.
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The council also decided to finalise and publish the July Declaration within the next 30 working days.
"In the Advisory Council meeting, it was decided that until the trial of the Bangladesh Awami League and its leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal is completed, all activities of the Awami League — including in cyberspace — will be banned under the Anti Terrorism Act in order to protect national security and sovereignty, ensure the safety of the leaders and activists of the July uprising, and safeguard plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal," said Law Adviser Asif Nazrul after the meeting ended at around 11pm last night.
A circular on this matter will be issued on the next working day (Monday), he added.
The meeting began at 8pm and continued for three hours straight, while protesters demanding the ban of the Awami League intensified their pressure on the government by moving in front of the InterContinental hotel from Shahbag.
The National Citizen Party (NCP)-led protest was on its third day, starting Thursday night in front of the State Guest House Jamuna, the chief adviser's official residence. The sit-in later moved to Shahbag.
Gathering in front of the InterContinental last night violated a DMP notice issued earlier today, prohibiting gatherings and processions in the areas adjacent to the Bangladesh Secretariat and Jamuna.
Protesters at a point announced 'March to Jamuna' in the evening as their three-point demands were not met till then.
On Friday, the NCP protesters blocked the Shahbag intersection to press three demands: an immediate ban on AL, an amendment to the ICT Act with provision for AL's trial, and a declaration of the July proclamation.
Cheerful protesters
As soon as the announcement of the Awami League's ban came from the press briefing after the Advisory Council meeting, the protesters in front of the Intercontinental Hotel broke into celebration.
The protesters erupted in joyous celebration, chanting "Banned! Banned!" in jubilation. They left the scene for Shahbag, where they continued the celebrations.
Welcoming the Advisory Council decisions, NCP convener Nahid Islam in a statement said, "Congratulations to the revolutionary students and masses. Commendations to the government as well. We demand swift implementation of all decisions."
"However, our struggle must continue regarding the July Declaration and the question of justice. The fascist perpetrators of mass killings across the country must be identified and brought to trial without delay," he wrote on his verified Facebook page, adding, "The Election Commission must promptly cancel the registration of the banned fascist Awami League."
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman wrote on his social handle, "All praise to Allah. Congratulations to all the revolutionaries."
Parties united
Earlier, the NCP was joined by leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami, United Peoples Bangladesh (UP Bangladesh), July Mancha, Inqilab Mancha, Khelafat Majlis, Hefazat-e-Islam, and other organisations. Protesters were chanting slogans demanding the ban of the Awami League immediately.
They were growing impatient as they waited for the Advisory Council meeting to end.
NCP Chief Organiser (North region) Sarjis Alam warned of a tougher movement if the decision to ban was not finalised in the Advisory Council's meeting.
Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and affiliated organisations did not take part in the protests in Dhaka.
Although NCP leaders, including the convener Nahid Islam, asked the protesters not to block roads except Shahbag intersection, different groups did stop vehicular movement in different places in and outside the capital, including Dhaka's Jatrabari area on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and Shyamoli on Mirpur Road.
The blockade in Jatrabari began around 11am, disrupting vehicular movement in the area. A long tailback was created on the busy highway, with vehicles stranded for hours.
Traffic Inspector Mahmudur Rahman said the protesters withdrew the blockade around 1pm, after which traffic movement gradually returned to normal.
Expressing solidarity with the protest, those injured in the July movement blocked the road in front of the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (NITOR) at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, near Shyamoli. As a result, traffic was halted in adjacent areas at around 4pm.
Protesters also held rallies in different parts of the country, including Sylhet and Chattogram.
A huge number of new protesters gathered at the Shahbag intersection since this morning.
NCP Chief Organiser (North) Sarjis Alam and Chief Organiser (South) Hasnat Abdullah joined the protesters ahead of the rally. Convener Nahid Islam, Member Secretary Akhtar Hossain, and Senior Joint Convenor Samantha Sharmin, among others, were also present at the rally.
Earlier on Friday night, Hasnat Abdullah announced a mass gathering at Shahbag.
