Anti-Terrorism Act Passed in Parliament, Awami League Activities Remain Banned

The National Parliament has passed the ‘Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2026’, as a result of which the activities of the Awami League, the party ousted from power in the July mass uprising, remain banned. The passage of this law has also paved the way for bringing the organization under trial. That is, the activities of the Awami League that have been banned in this law can be tried. This new legal step has brought an important turning point in the political arena of Bangladesh.
Today, Wednesday (April 8), at noon, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed proposed the bill for its passage in the National Parliament session, and it was passed by voice vote. When the bill was passed in the session chaired by Speaker Major (Retd.) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, the Speaker did not allow the opposition leader Dr. Shafiqur Rahman to speak as it was not legal.
However, at this time, the opposition leader said, we received a sheet three-four minutes ago. I have not been able to read it yet. Since the law is undoubtedly a sensitive law. Can we request some time before passing the bill?
In response, Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said, ‘There is no opportunity to raise objections at this stage of the bill. According to the rules, objections or proposals were supposed to be raised within a specific time, which was not given.’ Then the Home Minister argued in favor of passing the bill, saying that this bill is an amendment regarding the prohibition of terrorist organizations involved in genocide. It has been brought to amend the previous law, i.e. the Anti-Terrorism Act.
‘The opposition leader should remember that he and his NCP friends created public opinion through a movement. It is in the context of that public opinion that the Anti-Terrorism Act has been amended. Due to this law, the registration of a political party (Awami League) is currently suspended.’ Even the Information and Communication Technology Act has been amended to file a case against the organization.’
The minister further said, ‘The time for amendment has expired. If we want to discuss now, the proposal should have been made during the first or second reading of the bill.’ After the minister’s speech, the bill was moved for passage on the direction of the Speaker and it was passed by voice vote.
The passage of this law gave legal basis to the ordinance issued by the interim government in this regard. On May 12, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs, through a notification, banned all activities of the Awami League and its affiliates, partners and fraternal organizations. That decision came into effect on the basis of the ordinance issued by the interim government. Later, a special committee formed by the Thirteenth National Parliament reviewed the ordinance and recommended its passage as an act in the Parliament in an amended form. In light of the committee’s recommendation, the bill was introduced in the Parliament and passed.