A group of 173 lawyers from Cox’s Bazar has jointly submitted an appeal to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), calling for the withdrawal of restrictions imposed on the political activities of the Bangladesh Awami League.
According to the statement, the lawyers argue that the restriction is unconstitutional and contradicts democratic pluralism and fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 38 of the Constitution. The appeal was formally submitted on April 22 to the OHCHR office in Dhaka, following a joint declaration issued on April 19 titled “Statement of Cox’s Bazar District Lawyers on the Demand for Withdrawal of Restrictions on Awami League Activities Contrary to Democratic Pluralism and Constitutional Article 38.”
The lawyers further stated that the recently passed “Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2026” is inconsistent with constitutional principles and undermines the country’s democratic framework. They argued that imposing a ban on a political party without due judicial process violates the principle of natural justice.
They also noted that Bangladesh is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and claimed that restricting the party’s activities breaches the country’s international obligations.
In their statement, the lawyers described the Awami League as an integral part of Bangladesh’s Liberation War history and state-building process. They warned that restricting its political activities could negatively affect diplomatic relations and pose risks to regional stability.
The lawyers emphasized that the future of any political party should be determined by the people rather than through administrative or legal prohibitions.
Representatives of the Cox’s Bazar District Bar Association, including pro-Awami League elected leaders and signatories of the statement, confirmed the submission and reiterated their demand for the immediate withdrawal of the restrictions.
