Shafiqul Alam
Zakir Hossain / Dhaka
The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh, has firmly opposed the upcoming protests and strikes announced by the ousted premier Sheikh Hasina’s political party Awami League (AL), warning of strict legal action against any unauthorized demonstrations.
Following a six-month hiatus since its removal from power in August, the Awami League announced on Tuesday its plans to launch a series of protests starting February 1, culminating in a nationwide blockade on February 16 and a dawn-to-dusk hartal on February 18. The party has termed the interim government “illegal and unconstitutional” and is demanding its resignation, the withdrawal of cases against Sheikh Hasina, and an end to alleged political oppression.
In response, Chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam Wednesday declared on Facebook that any AL protest would face the “full force of the law.” He set three conditions for allowing demonstrations: an apology for alleged corruption and killings, the surrender of criminal members, and abandonment of its “fascist ideology and leadership.”
“Should we allow the fascist Awami League to protest? Video footage from July and August clearly shows AL activists participated in the killing of peaceful protesters, including teenage students and young children,” he wrote. Citing a Human Rights Watch report, he accused Hasina of ordering killings and enforced disappearances and claimed $234 billion was looted and laundered abroad during her 16-year rule. “If AL does not apologize, surrender its criminals, and abandon its leadership, they will not be allowed to protest. Did the Allied forces allow the Nazis to hold protests?” he added.
Despite most of its top leaders being abroad, in hiding, or in prison, AL has vowed to push ahead with its protest programs, with Sheikh Hasina remaining in India since fleeing in August. The planned demonstrations include leaflet distributions (Feb 1-5), rallies (Feb 6, 10), a nationwide blockade (Feb 16), and a hartal (Feb 18), warning of tougher programs if obstructed.