Soon after the fall of the former government, the interim government ratified the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance (CED),97 and also issued an ‘immunity order’ for protesters, who ‘will not face prosecution, arrest, or harassment for their acts’ in the period 15 July–8 August 2024.98 It furthermore lifted a recent ban on the political party Jamaat-e-Islami,99 while banning the Chhatra League.100
Later the interim government also temporarily banned all activities of the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act.101 The Election Commission consequently barred the Awami League from running in elections.102 This prohibition is reportedly ‘temporary’, and the interim government also amended the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act of 1973, ‘which gives the Tribunal broad powers to prosecute and dismantle political organizations’.103 Meanwhile, the Supreme Court lifted its election ban on Jamaat-e-Islami.104
The Women and Children Repression Prevention Act has also been amended, inter alia to speed up trials on rape cases.105
- 97
UN OHCHR, UN Treaty Body Database Ratification Status for Bangladesh, n.d., url
- 98
AFP, Bangladesh immunity order sparks fears of justice denied, 28 October 2024, url
- 99
Al Jazeera, Bangladesh’s interim government lifts ban on Jamaat-e-Islami party, 28 August 2024, url; Daily Star (The), Govt issues gazette lifting ban on Jamaat, Shibir, 28 August 2024, url
- 100
Al Jazeera, After the bloodshed: Can Bangladesh’s Awami League resurrect itself?, 27 January 2025, url
- 101
DW, Bangladesh: What does the ban of Sheikh Hasina's party mean?, 12 May 2025, url
- 102
Reuters, Ousted Bangladesh PM Hasina’s party barred from election as party registration suspended, 13 May 2025, url
- 103
HRW, Bangladesh: Review Laws and Protect Human Rights Standards, 21 May 2025, url
- 104
Al Jazeera, Bangladesh Supreme Court lifts ban on Jamaat-e-Islami party, 1 June 2025, url
- 105
Business Standard (The), Draft ordinance approved: Max punishment for sex with false promise of marriage to be 7yrs, 20 March 2025, url