No bar on personal gatherings, but programmes under Awami League banner are banned: information adviser

Although the politics and party activities of the Awami League remain banned, there is no bar on its former or current leaders and activists holding meetings or gatherings in a personal capacity. If a person faces no criminal case, is not in jail, or is on bail, they can hold a meeting or gathering under another banner or arrangement. But holding a party programme under the Awami League banner would be a violation of the law, and action will be taken if such a programme is held, said Dr. Zahed Ur Rahman, adviser to the prime minister on information and broadcasting.

He said this on Tuesday (10 November) while answering journalists' questions at a press conference on the progress of various government activities.

Journalists raised the case of a former Awami League member of parliament who returned from London and held a meeting in his own constituency, asking how he could hold a meeting when party activities are banned.

In reply, Zahed Ur Rahman said a trial is under way at the International Crimes Tribunal on whether the Awami League will be banned as a political party.

Until then, however, the party's activities remain banned through an amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009. As a result, there is no scope to hold any meeting, procession or party programme under the Awami League banner.

The adviser noted, however, that the right of every person who was associated with the Awami League in the past to hold meetings and gatherings has not come to an end. He said it is not the case that a person who faces no criminal case, is not in jail, or is on bail cannot hold any other kind of meeting or gathering.

When journalists pointed out that the Awami League banner and a pandal had been used at the former MP's meeting, the adviser said that if that had happened, it was definitely a violation of the law, and action would be taken over it.

Journalists also asked whether, if a case exists against the former MP, there is any legal bar on him coming to the country from London or travelling abroad again.

In reply, Zahed Ur Rahman said the mere existence of a case does not create a bar on a person's travel to and from abroad. It must be seen whether the person is a fugitive, whether there is an arrest warrant against him, or whether he has failed to comply with a warrant despite one being issued.

The adviser said these matters are being examined in the case of that MP, and that the issues are being verified with certainty.