Whether Awami League will be banned will be decided by court: PM's Adviser

Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman has said the question of whether the Awami League, whose activities are currently suspended, will be banned as a political party will be decided by the court.

He made the remark while responding to a question at a weekly press briefing at the Information Department (PID) conference room at the Secretariat on Tuesday, June 23.

The prime minister's adviser said the decision on whether the Awami League will be banned will be determined by the court and the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), based on whether they were involved in crimes against humanity.

"Their activities will remain suspended under the Anti-Terrorism Act 2009 as long as they are under trial," he said.

He added that if the party tries to hold any programme on the ground, it would be a violation of the law, and the government would take action.

Dr Zahed Ur Rahman also expressed his personal opinion that the Awami League does not have the moral courage to do much, calling it a "mafia group" and suggesting that it would take public amnesia for the party to regain a strong voice.

On the question of whether banning a party is good for democracy, he said that democratic systems have fundamental principles and conditions, and all parties must operate within those parameters. He added that even if a party has widespread support, it cannot be allowed to function if it violates these principles.