Dozens of Bangladeshi expatriates gathered outside the United Nations headquarters on Monday to protest the recent ban on the Awami League in Bangladesh and called on the international community to take urgent steps to restore democratic governance in the country.
The protest, led by the USA chapter of the Awami League, drew around 75 participants from allied groups including the Committee for Democratic Bangladesh, Congress of Bangladeshi Americans, and the America Bangladesh Community Development Initiative.
Siddique Rahman, President of the USA Awami League, denounced what he described as an “illegitimate” government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, alleging that it had overthrown the elected administration and imposed authoritarian rule.
“The illegal government of Muhammad Yunus has banned the Awami League, which is the democratically elected party. If the United Nations truly supports inclusive elections, it must ensure that the ban is lifted,” Rahman said.
Rahman further claimed that although Yunus is internationally respected for his humanitarian work, his current leadership amounts to dictatorship. “Receiving the Nobel Peace Prize does not excuse dismantling democracy,” he stated.
Protest organisers said they had submitted a memorandum to UN officials urging immediate intervention.
“We have formally asked the United Nations to step in and help restore democracy in Bangladesh,” said Prodip Kar, one of the protest leaders.
Speakers at the rally also called on the U.S. government to pressure Bangladeshi authorities to reinstate the Awami League and allow free and fair elections.
They criticised the interim administration’s use of the Anti-Terrorism Act to justify banning the Awami League and questioned the legitimacy of a government formed without electoral mandate.
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The protest follows a decision by the Bangladesh Election Commission last week to suspend the Awami League’s registration, effectively barring it from contesting future elections. A date for national elections has yet to be announced.
Kar reiterated that Sheikh Hasina, the long-time party leader, remains the lawful Prime Minister and accused the interim government of seizing power with the support of extremist factions, including Jamaat-e-Islami.
