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UN Letter Raises Alarm Over Political Rights, Fair Trial and Awami League Ban in Bangladesh
CSB News USA · 3:02 PM
Formal UN communication warns of disproportionate restrictions on the Awami League, political speech, assembly and fair trial rights
Formal UN communication warns of disproportionate restrictions on the Awami League, political speech, assembly and fair trial rights A formal United Nations communication sent to Dr Muhammad Yunus led interim Government of Bangladesh on 29 December 2025 raised serious concerns over the banning of the Bangladesh Awami League, the use of anti-terror and tribunal laws against it, restrictions on political speech and assembly, mass arrests, and alleged fair trial violations. The letter was signed by Ben Saul, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights while countering terrorism; Matthew Gillett, Vice-Chair on communications of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; and Margaret Satterthwaite, UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers. The experts said the reported measures may have imposed “unnecessary and disproportionate restrictions” on freedom of association, peaceful assembly, expression, participation in public affairs, and the right to a fair trial under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Ban on the Awami LeagueThe communication says that after legal amendments in May 2025, all Awami League activities were…
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