Dhaka, Bangladesh – June 1, 2025
The official website of the Bangladesh Awami League, the country’s largest democratic political party and a key force in the 1971 Liberation War, has been taken down — allegedly by the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
This unprecedented move has sparked alarm across the political spectrum, with critics calling it a direct attack on democratic principles and the constitutional right to freedom of expression. The Awami League has long played a central role in Bangladesh’s democratic development, and the suspension of its digital platform is being seen as an attempt to stifle dissent and restrict political participation.
According to Article 39 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, every citizen has the right to freedom of thought and conscience, freedom of speech, and freedom of the press. Legal experts and civil society leaders argue that disabling a recognized political party’s website without legal justification is a violation of these fundamental rights.
“This is not just a technical matter — it’s a political act that undermines democracy,” said a Dhaka-based constitutional scholar. “The website of a major political party is a platform for communication, transparency, and political engagement. Shutting it down silences millions of voices.”
The interim government, formed amid political uncertainty, has not yet released an official explanation for the action. However, observers fear that this may be part of a broader effort to suppress opposition voices and control political narratives ahead of any upcoming political transitions.
National and international human rights organizations are being urged to monitor the situation closely and raise concerns over the shrinking space for political expression in Bangladesh.
As tensions rise, the disabling of the Awami League’s website sends a chilling message about the future of democracy and freedom of expression in the country.