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Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has approached United Nations special rapporteurs, raising concerns over the continued ban on the Awami League and its exclusion from the country's electoral process, according to a communication published by Matrix Chambers. In a communication, Hasina has called for urgent international action, arguing that the ban undermines democratic participation and the political rights of a significant section of Bangladesh's population.
The communication details how the ban, initially imposed by Bangladesh's interim administration, has been maintained and formalised by the new government led by Bangladesh ist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman.
The BNP came to power following elections in February 2026, in which the Awami League was not permitted to participate. The communication argues that the polls were not free, fair or inclusive, despite what it describes as significant support in Bangladesh for the party to be allowed to contest.
It also questions the legitimacy of the election results, given the exclusion of a major political party from the electoral process.
BAN ON AWAMI LEAGUE RAISES DEMOCRATIC CONCERNS
According to the communication, the continued prohibition on the Awami League and its affiliates places Bangladesh in a constitutionally untenable position as it attempts to hold elections and consolidate democratic governance.
It argues that barring a major political party from electoral participation effectively disenfranchises a large section of the population by denying its supporters the opportunity to be represented through the party in elections.
The communication further raises concerns about the difficulty of challenging the ban through Bangladesh's domestic courts. It states that the prohibition, along with ongoing attacks on Awami League supporters, has made it difficult for the party to instruct lawyers and pursue a legal challenge.
COMMUNICATION CITES FOUR UN HUMAN RIGHTS PROVISIONS
The communication argues that the continued ban violates four provisions of international human rights law: Article 19, which protects freedom of expression; Article 21, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly; Article 22, which protects freedom of association; and Article 25, which guarantees political rights.
It contends that the ban does not meet the requirements for a lawful restriction on these rights. According to the communication, the prohibition was imposed by an administration whose successor government came to power through elections that excluded the Awami League.
It also argues that the ban lacks a legitimate aim, is disproportionate and does not provide adequate safeguards. The communication further alleges that the prohibition forms part of continuing attacks against members of the Awami League and people associated with the party.
HASINA SEEKS URGENT ACTION FROM UN RAPPORTEURS
The communication calls on three UN human rights mandate holders to take urgent action over the continued ban.
These are the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights While Countering Terrorism, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association, and the Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable Order.
It urges them to issue a public statement calling for free, fair and inclusive elections in Bangladesh, with the continued exclusion of the Awami League presented as a central concern.
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With inputs from Matrix Chambers
