Former Bangladesh prime minister urges three UN human rights mandate holders to intervene, arguing that the prohibition undermines democratic participation and violates international human rights protections.
Former Bangladesh prime minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina has called on three United Nations human rights mandate holders to take urgent action against the continued ban on the Awami League’s political activities.
In her communication, Hasina argues that the prohibition undermines democratic participation and breaches international human rights protections. She has urged the UN experts to address the issue as a matter of urgency.
The three UN mandate holders addressed in the communication are the Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights While Countering Terrorism; the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association; and the Independent Expert on the Promotion of a Democratic and Equitable International Order.
The communication calls on the mandate holders to issue a public statement urging Bangladesh to ensure free, fair and inclusive elections. It identifies the continued exclusion of the Awami League from political activities as a central concern in assessing the country’s democratic and electoral environment.
Hasina’s appeal places the ban within the broader context of political participation, freedom of association and Bangladesh’s obligations under international human rights standards.
The communication seeks international attention to the restrictions and calls for steps to ensure that the electoral process remains open to inclusive political participation.
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