UN Letter Raises Alarm Over Political Rights, Fair Trial and Awami League Ban in Bangladesh
By Dr Sreoshi Sinha and Abu Obaidha Arin
Formal UN communication warns of disproportionate restrictions on the Awami League, political speech, assembly and fair trial rights.
A formal United Nations communication sent to Dr Muhammad Yunus, the interim Government of Bangladesh, on 29 December 2025, raised serious concerns about the banning of the Bangladesh Awami League, the use of anti-terror and tribunal laws against it, restrictions on political speech and assembly, mass arrests, and alleged violations of fair trial rights. The letter was signed by Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights while countering terrorism; Matthew Gillett, Vice-Chair on communications of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and Margaret Satterthwaite, UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers.
The experts said the reported measures may have imposed “unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions” on freedom of association, peaceful assembly, expression, participation in public affairs, and the right to a fair trial under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Ban on the Awami League
The communication says that after legal amendments in May 2025, all Awami League activities were formally banned until proceedings before the International Crimes Tribunal against Sheikh Hasina and other party leaders were completed. According to the letter, the ban covered political activities, public meetings, publications, media advocacy, and participation in elections. It also says the Election Commission cancelled the party’s registration, blocking it from taking part in the planned national election.
The UN experts warn that banning a political party is among the most serious restrictions on freedom of association and should be used only in exceptional circumstances. They also caution against using counter-terrorism powers to suppress a political party rather than addressing specific and credible threats of violence.
Speech, Assembly and Political Participation
The letter also raises concern over restrictions on Awami League communications, including reported blocking of Sheikh Hasina’s speeches and a prohibition on “any publicity” linked to affected persons or entities under the amended anti-terror law. The experts say such blanket restrictions risk silencing political debate rather than narrowly targeting incitement or violence.
On assembly and elections, the communication warns that blanket restrictions on gatherings in support of the Awami League appear disproportionate and that excluding a major political party from elections risks undermining pluralism and denying voters a genuine choice of representatives.
Arrests, Detention and Fair Trial Concerns
The UN experts also refer to allegations of mass arrests of persons perceived to be affiliated with the Awami League, including journalists and lawyers, along with reported custodial deaths, signs of torture on some bodies, and blanket immunity for some perpetrators of violence after the August 2024 political transition. They describe these allegations as deeply concerning and stress that blanket immunities are incompatible with international law.
In Sheikh Hasina’s case, the communication expresses “serious concern” about fair trial guarantees before the International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh, including denial of counsel of choice, inadequate time to prepare a defence, and the politicised context of the proceedings. It also warns that violations of fair trial standards can render a death sentence arbitrary under international law.
Ten Questions and No Public Reply
The UN communication asked the Bangladesh government ten detailed questions, including what “specific, current and concrete risks” justified a party-wide ban on the Awami League, how long the restrictions would last, what legal remedies existed, and what safeguards were in place to ensure fair trial rights and political pluralism ahead of elections.
The letter stated that any government response would be made public within 60 days. The document also urged Bangladesh to review and amend the measures, warning that actions taken by executive decree against a major political party during the pre-election period risk limiting political pluralism and disenfranchising a substantial part of the electorate.
Why the Letter Matters
The significance of the communication lies not only in the allegations it records, but in how it frames them. The UN experts make clear that individuals accused of serious crimes should be held accountable through fair trials before independent and impartial courts. At the same time, they warn against collective political restrictions that affect an entire party, its supporters, and the broader democratic process.
As a result, the letter is likely to remain important not only for the Awami League’s international position, but also for wider questions about political pluralism, due process, electoral participation, and the rule of law under the Yunus-led interim administration.
Views are those of the Author(s)
