‘No moral courage among looters, thieves, mafias,' Zahed indicates AL

A senior adviser to Bangladesh’s prime minister on information and broadcasting, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, has said that everyone’s memory would have to fade before the Awami League, whose activities remain restricted, could once again hold its head high.

Speaking on Tuesday at a press briefing at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room in the Secretariat, he made the remarks while responding to questions on the government’s ongoing activities and political developments.

Addressing the Awami League directly, Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said, “Looters, mafias, thieves and swindlers do not possess much moral courage.”

His comments came as various political parties took to the streets to mark the banned party’s founding anniversary.

When asked about the justification for deploying the army in six districts in connection with the anniversary-related activities, the adviser defended the government’s position.

He said, "While political parties were engaging in demonstrations for symbolic reasons, the legal status of the Awami League remained subject to judicial determination.”

He added that the question of whether the party would ultimately be formally banned would be decided by the court, specifically the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), after examining allegations related to crimes against humanity.

Until that process is complete, he said, the party’s activities remain prohibited under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009.

“As a result, their programmes are banned. If they attempt to come onto the streets with any programme, it would amount to a violation of the law,” he said, adding that the authorities would respond accordingly.

Dr Zahed Ur Rahman further suggested that opposition activity on the streets was largely symbolic, noting that political parties had little practical scope to challenge the restrictions while the legal process remains ongoing.