Lawyers seeks UNHCR's help in lifting ban on AL

A total of 173 lawyers of the Cox's Bazar District Bar Association have submitted an application to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) seeking an international intervention for withdrawal of the ban on the political activities of the Awami League (AL).

In a joint statement, the lawyers said recently the ban imposed under the 'Anti Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2026', passed by the National Parliament, is inconsistent with Article 38 of the Constitution and infringes fundamental rights, particularly freedom of association and political participation.

They argued that banning one of the country's oldest political parties without due judicial process contravenes principles of natural justice and due process. The statement referred to the AL's historical role in the Language Movement, Six Point Movement, Mass Uprising of 1969 and the Bangladesh Liberation War.

The lawyers further contended that Bangladesh, as a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, has international obligations that might be undermined by the new law. They said the application to the UN rights office was intended to raise the matter at the international level.