Published : 08 Apr 2026, 09:10 PM
Updated : 21 Aug 2026, 03:34 PM
The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has been passed in parliament following the revision of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 on prohibiting an entity and all its activities.
When Wednesday’s session began in the morning chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed placed the bill before its passage by voice vote.
The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 was cleared by the interim government on May 11, 2025.
The next day, a gazette was issued banning all activities of the Awami League and its affiliates.
After taking office, the BNP government turned that ordinance into law through the bill.
Through its passage, the ban on the Awami League and its affiliates remains in place.
The bill suggested amending Sections 18 and 20 to make the anti-terrorism law timely, as it lacks a clear provision regarding the prohibition of the activities of any entity.
“On that basis, the new law is being introduced by repealing the ‘Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025’ issued during the interim government,” the bill read.
Through the amendment, the words “or may prohibit all activities of the entity” have been added after the terms “declare an entity prohibited and listed in the schedule” in Section 18 of the 2009 law.
According to the amendment to Section 20, if action is taken against a person or entity under Section 18, the government can control their money, assets or transactions and also stop their campaigning activities, including rallies and press conferences—whether online or in-person.
Presenting the bill, Salahuddin described it as a result of the “further revision” of the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009. He immediately requested the parliament to consider its passage, leading to a voice vote and there were no clause-wise amendments to the bill.
Backing the legislation and hinting at the Awami League, the home minister said: “This bill is an amendment regarding the prohibition of a genocidal and terrorist organisation.”
He said that a movement provided the context for amending the previous law, “building a public consensus in Bangladesh.”
The speaker said the activities of the “relevant” organisations have been banned through the amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act and their registration has accordingly been suspended.
Changes were also made to the law related to the International Criminal Tribunal in light of Article 47 of the Constitution, he added.
Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman said they received the bill's "comparative details" only three to four minutes before it was presented.
Terming the law “sensitive”, he requested that the opposition be given some time before passing it and given an opportunity to review the matter.
But Speaker Hafiz denied him the scope because they did not raise objections to the bill “on time”.
