Staff Reporter :
Human Rights Watch has raised concerns over recent legislative initiatives introduced by Bangladesh’s interim government, warning that the moves risk eroding fundamental freedoms and suppressing political dissent.
Led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser to the Interim Government had pledged to reform the country’s criminal justice system and ensure accountability for past human rights abuses, HRW said in a statement on Wednesday.
However, recent developments suggest a troubling shift in focus. According to Human Rights Watch, instead of honouring its commitments, the government is pushing laws that appear aimed at stifling the rights of supporters of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party.
On May 12, the interim government ordered a “temporary” ban on the Awami League, using newly introduced powers under a draconian amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act.
The ban includes, among other actions, meetings, publications, and online speech supporting the party.
Meanwhile, draft legislation to address enforced disappearances, which were widespread under the previous government, does not meet international standards and scarcely addresses accountability for past crimes.
“Sheikh Hasina’s government abused legal powers to silence political opponents, but using similar methods against the supporters of her Awami League party would also violate those same fundamental freedoms,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
