The National Parliament has approved the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2026, which adds provisions to ban individuals or entities involved in terrorist activities and their operations. The Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2026 was passed on Wednesday afternoon without any changes to the content of the original ordinance.
Under the ordinance, the interim government had decided to amend the anti-terrorism law to prohibit all activities of the Bangladesh Awami League until the trial of the party and its leaders at the International Crimes Tribunal is completed.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told the parliament that the amendment was introduced to ensure the trial of organisations involved in mass murders.
He added that under the revised law, the registration of the Awami League has been suspended.
During the interim government tenure, BNP had opposed banning any political party through executive orders, stating that such decisions should be left to the people.
However, after forming the government, the party moved to formalize the ordinance into law. With the inclusion of penal provisions, the Awami League is expected to face a greater crisis in carrying out political activities.
A total of 133 ordinances issued by the interim government were placed on the first day of the 13th Parliament on March 13.
A 14-member special committee was formed to review them. Under Article 93 of the Constitution, Parliament must approve any ordinance within 30 days, or it will lapse—making April 12 the deadline.
Last Thursday, the committee recommended that 98 ordinances be passed into law without changes. It also suggested amending 15 ordinances before presenting them as bills, while recommending that 16 not be introduced for now and four be repealed.
Among the 15 ordinances proposed for amendment was the Anti-Terrorism Ordinance issued on May 11, 2025. It amended Sections 18 and 20 of the 2009 law to ban the activities of the Awami League and all its associate and affiliated bodies. Earlier, in October 2024, the same law was used to ban the Chhatra League.
The demand to ban the Awami League gained momentum on the night of May 9 last year, when NCP leaders staged a protest near the residence of then Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus. Several political parties later joined the movement, including Jamaat-e-Islami and others.
Following this, on the night of May 11, the advisory council of the interim government held an emergency meeting and amended two sections of the Anti-Terrorism law.
The amendment empowered the government to ban the activities of any individual or entity through executive order if found to be involved in terrorist activities.
A government gazette issued the same day stated that the Awami League’s activities would remain banned until the completion of trials at the International Crimes Tribunal.
While the Awami League was not formally outlawed, the ban on its activities effectively prevents it from holding rallies, meetings, or processions, keeping offices open, operating bank accounts, issuing statements, or carrying out publicity in media and social platforms.
The newly passed law stipulates that members of a banned organization could face prison sentences ranging from four to 14 years for violating these restrictions.
Previously, the ordinance did not specify penalties for breaching the ban.
The parliamentary special committee reviewed opinions from relevant ministries, and the Home Ministry recommended incorporating punitive provisions—now included in the law.
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