Concerned about changes to legislation allowing ban on political parties in Bangladesh: UN rights chief
“This unduly restricts the freedoms of association, expression, and assembly,” the UN rights chief noted
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has expressed concerns over legislative changes in Bangladesh, which allow banning political parties and organisations and all related activities.
"I am encouraged that the Interim Government and political parties in Bangladesh are making progress through dialogue. I urge meaningful advances on reforms, to create the environment for free and inclusive elections," Türk said while addressing the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva today (16 June).
"However, I am concerned about recent changes to legislation to allow the banning of political parties and organisations and all related activities," he added.
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"This unduly restricts the freedoms of association, expression, and assembly," the UN rights chief noted.
On 12 May, the interim government officially banned the Awami League and all its affiliate organisations under the Anti-Terrorism Act in the face of protest by various political parties led by the National Citizen Party.
The ban will stay in effect till the trials of the leaders of AL and its affiliate organisations are complete, reads a gazette notification issued in this regard.
The decisions were made during a special Advisory Council meeting held at the Chief Adviser's residence on 11 May.
The notification states that all activities by the AL and its affiliates will remain banned "until the trial of the leaders and activists of Bangladesh Awami League and all its subsidiary organisations, associate organisations and fraternal organisations is completed at the International Crimes Tribunal."
The ban covers all activities, including any kind of publication, campaign on media, online and social media, procession, meeting, gathering, conference, etc.
It further states that the government "reasonably believes that it is appropriate to declare a ban on all activities of the party" and all its affiliates under the powers conferred by Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 and the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009.
Prior to the ban, the government, on 10 May, approved an amendment to the International Crimes Tribunal Act, allowing the Tribunal to punish any political party, its affiliated organisations, or supporter groups.
