Court to decide Awami League’s fate as ban remains: adviser

Prime Minister‍‍`s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman today said whether the Awami League will be banned as a party is entirely within the jurisdiction of the court and the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT).

"However, while the judicial process for the crimes against humanity in July-August is ongoing, any kind of political activities of the party will remain banned at the field level. If the party takes to the field with any programme until the trial is over, it will be acting as a lawbreaker and the government will take action in this regard," he said.

The adviser made the remarks while replying to a question at weekly press briefing held at the conference room of the Press Information Department (PID) here this morning.

Responding to another question about the Awami League‍‍`s political programme, he said, "It is necessary to clarify whether the Awami League party will be banned or not. That will be decided by the court. Whether they were involved in crimes against humanity or not will be decided as a result of the trial in the ICT. Until the trial is over, all activities of the party will remain banned."

Zahed warned that if the party tries to hold any programme at the field level, the government would take strict action to this end.

He said the Awami League does not have the moral courage to carry out any programme in field politics. "I personally do not think that the Awami League has that kind of moral courage…the way people stood in front of guns in July-August movement, because their minds were clear.

 They loved the country. But some looters, mafia, thieves and swindlers of Awami League do not have that moral courage. They don’t have that ability either,” he added.

The adviser said although the Awami League does not have the ability to do anything big, they have a lot of illegal money.
 
Army personnel have been deployed in districts, considered risky by the government, so that the AL men cannot create any sabotage or violence by spending the looted money, he said. 

“That does not mean that the Awami League can do a lot. The government has taken this step entirely in the interest of the people’s safety.”

Explaining the legal ‘check list’ and democratic perimeter for participating in the elections, Zahed said, “In a democratic situation, a political party has to be democratic. Whether they were involved, as an organisation, in the crimes against humanity committed in July or not is now a matter to be considered. It is a complete judicial process.” 

“However, as citizens of a civilised country, we all have to accept the verdict that the court delivers,” he said.

About the scope for Awami League leaders to participate in the local government elections, the information adviser said since the local government elections starting from September-October will be completely non-partisan or without party symbols, there is no legal obstacle.

“Even if someone has been an Awami League member in the past, if he/she is not involved in any crime or has no case against him/her, the person can participate as an individual. But, no party banner, slogan or party programme can be brought forward,” he said.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Md Yasin and Principal Information Officer Syed Abdal Ahmed were present at the briefing.