Bangladesh government bans major Islamist party
After student protest and the harsh repression that cost more than 200 lives, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina bans Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing as terrorist organisations, blaming them for the violence. The party was created by Bangladeshis who fought for Pakistan in the 1971 War of Independence. The true unity for the good of the country remains a challenge.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) – The country's largest Islamist political party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, together with its student organisation, Islami Chhatrashibir, and all affiliated bodies, have been declared terrorist organisations by the Dhaka government.
The Ministry of Home Affairs issued the order yesterday under the 2009 anti-terrorism law. The latter follows the wave of protests that broke out over the disputed quota system, sparking clashes that cost the lives of 212 people.
Discussions over the ban went on for days, culminating in the government's decision centred on allegations that the targeted groups were involved in destructive activities, including violence and vandalism during the student quota reform protests.
Jamaat was allied with Pakistan during the 1971 War of Liberation. After independence, the government of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (the father of current Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina) outlawed the party for abuse of religion, opposition to independence, and participation in genocide.
However, in 1979, the ban was lifted by the government of then President Ziaur Rahman; thereafter, the party has generally aligned itself with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, currently the country’s largest opposition party.
With the new ban, Jamaat "will go underground and try to destroy” the nation, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who heads the ruling Bangladesh Awami League, stressing that the Islamist party will have to be treated as a militant organisation.
“[W]e must all strive to fight them and protect our people. There will be no shelter for militants on the soil of Bengal,” she added.
The prime minister went on to say that the violence linked to the quota reform movement will be thoroughly investigated and the culprits will be brought to justice.
"I want everything to be investigated. Who is behind it, how it happened, and what transpired. For that, I have appealed to the United Nations to send their experts.
“If any other country wishes, they can send experts as well. Because I want these incidents to be properly investigated. Action should be taken against whoever is responsible."
Sheikh Hasina was particularly outraged over the case of a policeman killed in the protests whose body was hanged by protesters.
“What kind of movement is it to kill and hang people?” she asked. "When the demands of the students have been accepted, what is the rationale for continuing the movement?”
Christian freedom fighters also expressed their support for the ban imposed on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
“This decision ensures the safety and security of the people of Bangladesh and the assets of this country. I support and appreciate the government's action,” said Robert R. N. Das, a Christian freedom fighter from Dinajpur, speaking to AsiaNews.
For its part, the Sector Commanders Forum, a body that played a key role in training Bangladeshi forces for more than 50 years, stressed that the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami and its student organisation is not the final step.
The agency believes that the joint efforts of the government, mass organisations, and civil society groups are necessary to run the country in a healthy, democratic, and progressive manner, in line with the ideals of the War of Liberation.
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11/05/2016 09:41
