Would be unwise to ban Awami League, says Law Advisor Asif Nazrul

It would not be wise to ban the Awami League as a political party, believes Asif Nazrul, the law advisor to the interim government.

The law, justice and parliamentary affairs advisor made the remarks to the media at his office on Wednesday.

“You’ve seen that our attorney general’s office protested when there was a demand to ban the Awami League. I don’t support banning any political party unless they are involved in militancy or seditious acts,” he said when asked if the Awami League would be banned.

“If a political party really engages in militancy or seditious acts, then this could be done only after conducting an extremely fair probe,” he added.

The advisor said that the Constitution of Bangladesh provides the right to form and run a political organisation. The Awami League was a party that led the struggle for independence and contributed a lot to the democratic movements in the country. But what they did in the last 15 years was not aligned with their tradition and the spirit of the Liberation War.

He said the Awami League ‘established a barbaric fascism’ in Bangladesh.

“There could be individual responsibility or overall responsibility of the leaders for such acts. But I don’t think banning the Awami League as a political party will be wise.”

Some people have called the Awami League a criminal organisation. When should one call a political party a ‘criminal organisation,’ the journalists asked the law advisor.

“Those who don’t believe in the existence and sovereignty of Bangladesh, want to eliminate democratic politics, those who operate planned, armed movements to destroy the society free of disparity and oppression that was built on the spirit of the Liberation War, should be called a criminal organisation,” he said.

“However, expressing one’s opinion should be as free as possible,” he added.