The Bangladesh Awami League has announced a series of programmes at home and abroad from November 14 to 19, demanding the implementation of its eight-point charter and calling for the return of party president and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh in December.
The party announced the programmes in a press release issued on Friday, November 13.
The eight-point demands include the abolition of the International Crimes Tribunal, withdrawal of what the party described as fabricated verdicts and false cases, lifting the ban on the Awami League, release of all political prisoners, control of prices of essential commodities, reopening of closed industrial units, ensuring public safety and protecting students’ right to education.
According to the announced schedule, leaflets outlining the eight-point demands will be distributed across the country on Saturday, November 14. The programme will also include wall writings, publicity campaigns and mass outreach activities.
On Sunday, November 15, protest rallies and marches will be organised by all organisational units of the party in support of the demands.
On Monday, November 16, district units will submit memorandums to the offices of deputy commissioners across the country. At the central level, memorandums will also be submitted to foreign embassies and international organisations based in Dhaka.
The party’s overseas branches will submit memorandums to Bangladesh’s embassies, high commissions and consulates abroad, as well as the headquarters of international organisations.
Black Day on November 17
The Awami League has declared November 17 a ‘Black Day’ to protest the verdict delivered by the International Crimes Tribunal against Sheikh Hasina on the same date in 2025.
The party plans to observe the day through wearing black badges, hoisting black flags at party offices and designated locations, and organising protests throughout the country. It has also demanded the cancellation of the verdict and abolition of the tribunal.
Dawn-to-dusk lockdown on November 19
As the final programme, the party has called for an all-out dawn-to-dusk lockdown across the country on Thursday, November 19.
According to the press release, all forms of transport, shops, industrial establishments, government and private offices, banks, courts and educational institutions are to remain closed during the programme.
However, emergency services, including ambulances, fire services, news media, hospitals and pharmacies, will remain exempt. Party activists have been instructed to ensure the uninterrupted movement and operation of these services.
The press release urged leaders and activists of all district, metropolitan, upazila, thana, municipal, union, ward and overseas units, as well as affiliated and like-minded organisations, to take necessary organisational steps to make the programmes successful.
The party also sought the cooperation of the people to ensure the success of the announced programmes.
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