Awami League should be banned through trial process: Hasnat Abdullah

National Citizen Party (NCP) leader Hasnat Abdullah has said the Awami League (AL) should be banned through a trial process, not an executive order, for the party’s alleged involvement in killings and disappearances.

The southern chief organiser of the NCP also demanded the cancellation of the Awami League’s registration as a political party through a judicial process.

Hasnat Abdullah came up with the statement while addressing a rally outside the National Museum at Shahbagh on Saturday.

NCP Member Secretary Akhter Hossain also vowed to resist the return of the Awami League at any cost.

He said, “Awami League did not express an apology or take responsibility for any killing. So, if anybody or any institution stands in favour of that Awami League, the people of Bangladesh will stand against them.”

According to UNB, several organisations and students from Dhaka University staged a rally on Saturday, demanding a ban on the Awami League.

The rally began at 3:00pm at the Shahbagh intersection, where participants chanted slogans like "One word, one demand, League not come back."

Shakil Mia, an organiser of the July Movement students participating in the rally, said, "All those associated with the Awami League are involved in some form of crime. Therefore, we want the registration of the Awami League to be cancelled.”

He also said that the Awami League should not be allowed to participate in the next election.

“Considering the wrongdoings the Awami League has committed over the past 16 years, no good worker of the party can be found," he added.

Another participant added, "We demand the cancellation of the Awami League's registration, and its activities should be banned. All leaders and workers involved in misdeeds should be brought to justice."

The speakers also demanded a trial for those involved in looting, disappearances, and killings during the Awami League's rule.

Meanwhile, "July Warriors", a forum formed by the families of the martyrs and injured victims of the July uprising, gave the interim government 48 hours to ban Awami League.

They issued the ultimatum from a protest rally held at the Raju Sharok Bhaskarjya on the Dhaka University campus on Saturday.