Law Adviser's Firm Stance on Awami League Ban
Dr. Asif Nazrul, Bangladesh's Law Adviser, declared on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, that there is 'no possibility' of the ban on the Awami League's activities being lifted 'not before the election, and not in the near future either'. His remarks were made to reporters in Barisal following a visit to Durga Puja mandaps.
The statement from the Law Adviser comes despite recent comments from Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who suggested in an interview with a foreign media outlet that the Awami League's activities, currently suspended, 'will be open anytime' and that unsuspension was 'a possibility'. Chief Adviser Yunus had recently returned to Dhaka on October 2, 2025, after attending the 80th UN General Assembly.
Background of the Ban
The interim government of Bangladesh imposed a ban on all activities of the Awami League on May 10, 2025, under the Anti-Terrorism Act. This decision followed the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League-led government in August 2024, after a widespread student-led uprising, often referred to as the July Revolution.
The ban is intended to remain in place until the International Crimes Tribunal completes the trial of the party and its leaders for alleged crimes committed during their tenure. Additionally, the Election Commission of Bangladesh suspended the registration of the Awami League as a political party on May 12, 2025.
Interim Government's Mandate and Key Figures
The current interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, was sworn in on August 8, 2024. Its primary objective is to facilitate a free and fair national election, which is currently slated for the first half of February 2026.
Dr. Asif Nazrul, a professor of law at the University of Dhaka, was appointed as an adviser to this interim government in August 2024 and holds responsibility for the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. The contrasting statements from the Law Adviser and the Chief Adviser highlight ongoing discussions and differing perspectives within the interim administration regarding the future of the Awami League.
6 Comments
Eugene Alta
Nazrul is absolutely right. The Awami League needs to face the music for their past actions.
BuggaBoom
How can elections be fair if a major political party is sidelined? This is a total sham.
Loubianka
Yunus needs to listen to his Law Adviser. No leniency for those who abused power.
Bermudez
On one hand, the call for justice for the Awami League's alleged misdeeds is understandable given the context. On the other hand, the optics of banning a major party before an election can lead to accusations of an unfair playing field, regardless of the merits.
Habibi
It's crucial that the International Crimes Tribunal proceeds transparently and quickly. However, keeping a party banned indefinitely without clear resolution can easily be seen as politically motivated rather than purely judicial.
Donatello
Political bans only breed resentment and instability. This is a dangerous precedent for Bangladesh.