Former Bangladesh minister and Awami League leader Mohammad Ali Arafat has urged for the immediate removal of the ban on his party, emphasizing the importance of reinstating political pluralism and democratic values. Arafat criticized the parliamentary elections held on February 12 in Bangladesh, alleging that they were predetermined and lacked democratic credibility.
Arafat, using his social media platform, drew parallels with hypothetical scenarios in the UK and the USA to highlight the significance of political party participation in elections. He expressed concern over the exclusion of the Awami League, a major political entity in Bangladesh, from the electoral process, leading to the disenfranchisement of numerous voters.
The former minister pointed out that the ban on the Awami League persists, hindering its political engagements, while also condemning the suppression of fundamental rights such as voting, assembly, and freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Arafat raised alarm over the targeted persecution of Awami League members, with many facing baseless criminal charges and unjust imprisonment.
Highlighting the need for justice regarding casualties during the July–August 2024 unrest, Arafat criticized the former administration for allegedly exploiting these incidents to suppress opposition voices. He underscored the lack of thorough investigations into the deaths during the unrest, emphasizing the need for genuine accountability and an end to political manipulation for suppression.
