#BNP and PM #TariqueRahman have demonstrated their true “commitment” to #democracy by endorsing the Interim Govt’s deeply controversial decision to effectively ban one of the largest political parties in #Bangladesh through legally flawed amendments to the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009. Today, under a proposal by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, the BNP-majority #parliament passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance Bill 2026. This legislation ratifies provisions originally introduced by the Interim Govt, granting the executive sweeping powers to suspend the activities of any organization indefinitely. It also prohibits all forms of support for such proscribed entities. The provisions were previously used by the Interim Govt to impose a de-facto ban on the #AwamiLeague. The newly passed law goes even further by introducing penalties for violations, thereby entrenching and expanding the IG’s restrictions. This decision runs counter to the recommendations of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, @volker_turk, several independent experts from the @UN_HRC , as well as numerous international and national human rights and civil society organizations. By aligning itself with the Yunus Regime’s undemocratic position on the arbitrary banning of political parties, BNP has undermined its own credibility in advocating for democratic principles and has forfeited the moral high ground to critique other parties and their stance on democracy, including the Awami League. This marks a deeply troubling moment for #democracy in Bangladesh, with potentially far-reaching and destabilizing consequences for the country’s political landscape. …. #BangladeshCrisis @SRjudgeslawyers @UN_SPExperts @hrw @AgnesCallamard @UNHumanRights @antonioguterres @amnestysasia @PearsonElaine @ESandersFCDO @cnni @OHCHRAsia @StateDRL @EURightsAgency @kajakallas @GERonSouthAsia @State_SCA @eu_eeas @FCDOGovUK
