New York, U.S. – In a troubling turn of events, Bangladesh’s interim government has come under fire for enacting measures that threaten basic freedoms, according to Human Rights Watch. The administration, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, appears to be straying from its commitment to reform the criminal justice system and ensure accountability for grave human rights abuses, opting instead to restrict the rights of supporters of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party.
On May 12, the interim government imposed what it termed a “temporary” ban on the Awami League, leveraging newly acquired powers from a recent amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act. This ban not only prohibits the party’s meetings and publications but also stifles online discourse that supports the organization. Critics have expressed concern that proposed legislation to investigate enforced disappearances—widespread during Hasina’s tenure—remains insufficient and fails to meet international standards for accountability.
Meenakshi Ganguly, the Asia deputy director at Human Rights Watch, remarked that while the previous government wielded legal tools to silence dissent from political adversaries, applying similar tactics against Awami League supporters serves to undermine fundamental freedoms. She stated that the draft bill on enforced disappearances falls short of providing justice or clarity for the countless victims and bereaved families impacted by the past government’s actions.
The interim government, which assumed power following the violent ousting of Hasina on August 5, 2024, had initially vowed to restore democratic values and uphold human rights. However, recent developments have raised doubts about that commitment. The ban on the Awami League could last for years, as it ties the party’s reinstatement to the outcome of trials against its leaders for alleged abuses during a 15-year rule characterized by controversies.
Following the suspension announcement, the Election Commission officially revoked the Awami League’s party registration, further isolating the political group. This drastic step coincided with an amendment to the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, which bestows broad capacity on the Tribunal to prosecute and dismantle political entities. The expansive definition of “organization” now includes any political party or individual deemed to support those activities, raising alarms regarding potential violations of due process and freedom of association.
The repercussions of this new directive are profound, as the interim government has initiated arrests of various individuals, including artists and lawyers, under politically charged murder accusations. These actions echo the previous administration’s efforts to silence dissent.
In a related development, the interim government launched an inquiry commission on August 27, 2024, to investigate enforced disappearances that occurred during Hasina’s administration. According to the commission’s preliminary report, around 1,676 instances have been documented, with approximately 200 victims still unaccounted for. Evidence of systematic disappearances, often targeting political adversaries, suggests a grim reality faced by those in custody.
Despite the commission’s work, proposed legislation addressing enforced disappearances does not incorporate its findings and narrowly defines such incidents, often sidelining severe human rights violations from previous governance. The formation of a new National Commission to handle these cases lacks safeguards for its independence, and while it aims to establish a mechanism for prosecution, it does not address the most egregious violations.
Families of the victims continue to grapple with a lack of closure. One mother, whose son vanished while in state custody in 2013, expressed her ongoing hope for his return and the deep-seated need for perpetrators to face justice. Unfortunately, reports of intimidation against families, including those from victim’s advocacy groups, only add to their distress.
Human Rights Watch emphasizes the necessity for the interim government to reverse its initiatives that curtail freedoms, specifically for Awami League followers. Rather than suppressing dissent, it should focus on holding accountable those implicated in past crimes. A genuine effort to restore human rights standards must prioritize delivering justice for violations, particularly unlawful killings and enforced disappearances.
“There is significant anger toward the Awami League due to past abuses, but stripping away the rights of opposition supporters will not provide a solution,” Ganguly highlighted. The interim government is urged to promote transparency and accountability as it moves forward in addressing the legacy of enforced disappearances and other human rights violations.
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