Awami League supporters protest at UN, demand end to party ban in Bangladesh

IANS May 20, 2025 246 views

Supporters of the Awami League staged a significant protest at the United Nations headquarters challenging their party's suspension in Bangladesh. The demonstrators, representing various Bangladeshi-American organizations, accused Muhammad Yunus of leading an illegitimate government that banned the legally elected party. They demanded UN intervention to restore democratic processes and allow Awami League's political participation. The protest highlighted growing international concern about the political crisis in Bangladesh, where no election date has been set.

"The illegal government of Muhammad Yunus has banned the Awami League" - Siddique Rahman, USA Awami League President
United Nations, May 20: Supporters of the Awami League held a demonstration on Monday outside the UN headquarters against the ban on the party in Bangladesh and demanded that the world organisation ensure that democracy is restored.

Key Points

1

Awami League banned under Anti-terrorism Act

2

75 protesters demand democratic restoration

3

Election Commission suspends party registration

4

Yunus accused of undemocratic takeover

Siddique Rahman, the president of the USA Awami League, said, “The illegal government of Muhammad Yunus has banned the Awami League, which is the legally elected party”.

If the elections are to be held in the inclusive manner that the UN wants, the ban should be lifted, and the League should be allowed to participate in it, he said.

The UN should ensure that democracy is restored, he added.

Yunus may have received the Nobel Prize, but he is now a dictator running an unelected regime that overthrew the legitimate government, Rahman added.

About 75 people drawn from the USA Awami League, Committee for Democratic Bangladesh, Congress of Bangladeshi Americans, and the America Bangladesh Community Development Initiative joined the protest.

Speakers at the protest said that the US should demand that democracy be restored to Bangladesh.

The interim government, headed by Yunus, which took power amid riots and protests against Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, banned the Awami League under the Anti-terrorism Act.

Last week, the Bangladesh Election Commission suspended the party's registration, making it ineligible to contest elections.

Bangladesh has not set a date for elections.

Prodip Kar, an organiser of the protest, said they had given a memorandum to the UN with their demands.

He said that Sheikh Hasina remains the prime minister legally and that Yunus took power with the help of “the Jamaat-e-Islami and terrorists”.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
India should watch this situation carefully. Bangladesh's stability directly affects our Northeast states. Hope the UN takes a balanced approach - we don't want another crisis at our borders. 🇮🇳
P
Priya M.
Nobel Prize or not, if Yunus is indeed running an unelected government, that's concerning. But the Awami League isn't perfect either - remember their human rights record? Bangladesh needs free & fair elections, not this drama.
A
Amit S.
Why are Bangladeshi political parties protesting in the US? Sort out your own problems at home! India has enough challenges without worrying about instability in neighboring countries.
S
Sunita R.
As someone from West Bengal, I know how Bangladeshi politics affects us. When they're unstable, we see more illegal crossings. Hope the UN helps restore proper democracy there. But India must stay neutral - no interference please!
V
Vikram J.
The Awami League has been India-friendly, but banning any major political party is wrong. However, protests in New York won't solve anything - this needs regional diplomacy. Maybe SAARC can play a role?
N
Neha P.
Both sides are making serious allegations! If Jamaat-e-Islami is really involved, that's dangerous for the whole region. Bangladesh needs to conduct elections soon - delay will only help extremists. Stay strong, neighbors! 🙏

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published


Disclaimer: Comments here reflect the author's views alone. Insulting or using offensive language against individuals, communities, religion, or the nation is illegal.

Tags:
Bangladesh Politics Awami League Muhammad Yunus UN Protest Sheikh Hasina Democracy