Public will decide on banning Awami League: Moyeen Khan

Amid ongoing protests in Dhaka demanding the banning of the Awami League, BNP Standing Committee member Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan said on Friday that it is not within the BNP’s authority to make such a decision.

His comments came during a briefing after a meeting between BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and a six-member delegation from the US-based Carter Center, led by Jonathan Stonestreet, Senior Associate Director of its Democracy Program.

When asked by a journalist about the BNP’s position on banning the Awami League, Moyeen Khan responded, “look, the simple answer to that question is: whether the Awami League should be banned or not is not for the BNP to decide. That is a matter for the Election Commission or the government.”

He continued, “Some political parties have called for the Awami League to be banned — that is their position. But as the BNP, we are not in a position to make that decision. Our Secretary General has already said this is a matter for the people. The people will decide who can contest elections and who cannot. That is our stance.”

Offering his personal opinion, Moyeen Khan added, “you’ve asked whether the Awami League will be allowed to take part in the elections, or whether they should be banned. But why not ask the Awami League instead? Do they really want an election? Do they really want democracy? That’s a question they need to answer.”

He further stated, “nine months have already passed. Can you point to a single Awami League leader who has admitted that their party oppressed the people for the last 15 years, ruled in a fascist manner, looted the country, and is now ready to apologize and seek a fresh mandate from the people? Has even one of them said that?”

“They haven’t. So this question doesn’t need to be directed at us. The 180 million people of Bangladesh already know the answer.”

The BNP delegation at the meeting included Dr. Moyeen Khan, Organizing Secretary Shama Obaid, and Chairperson’s Private Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar.