Advisor Zahed says Awami League’s fate depends on crimes against humanity trial

Until then, its activities will remain banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009, he says

The court of law will decide whether the Awami League will be banned as a party, the Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Advisor Zahed Ur Rahman has said.

At a press conference at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Zahed said the Awami League, which is banned from all political activities, no longer has the "moral courage" to wage a movement.

“[Whether the Awami League is banned as a political party] will be decided after the trial determines if it was involved in crimes against humanity,” he said.

He was responding to a question about what measures the government has taken centring the 77th founding anniversary of the Awami League and whether the party faces a “complete ban”.

Until the trial of the Awami League for alleged crimes against humanity during the July Uprising ends, its activities will remain banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009, according to Zahed.

“If this party wants to take to the streets with any programme now, they will violate the law. It is quite natural that [law-enforcing agencies] will take action," he said.

The government has already deployed the Army and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) in several districts to prevent potential chaos surrounding the Awami League's founding anniversary.

Describing the decision, Zahed said: “The Army’s deployment should not be taken to mean that [Awami League] is capable of causing significant disruption. Personally, I do not believe the party has the moral courage for that.”

He said many people had challenged the party during the July Uprising due to their morale.

The advisor also defended the Army's deployment as a measure for "citizen's safety" centred on the anniversary.