The press wing of the Chief Advisor said in a statement on Thursday that the interim government of Bangladesh has no plans to ban the Awami League, but the individuals under his leadership of crimes including murder and crime against humanity will face the trial in the courts of the country.
Speaking with a delegation of the International Crisis Group led by the Comfort ERO, Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus confirmed that the government had set two potential deadlines for the elections. According to the statement, he assured the group that the dates would not change.
Professor Yunus also said that the government has not referred to the Awami League leaders in the International Criminal Court in the Hague. This follows a common fact-mission report on possible crimes committed during the July rebellion.
“This is too much on the table,” he said, underlining the interim government’s stance on accountability.
Confirming the administration’s commitment to hold elections as per the plan, Younus said that there will be no delay in the vote for any demand. He said that if political parties seek only limited reforms before the elections, then the vote will take place in December. However, if they request a more comprehensive improvement package, elections will be set for June next year. He said, “We have no reason to change the election dates,” he said that the process will be operated independently and fairly.
The Chief Advisor also shared that the General Consent Construction Commission has started discussing with political parties. There are plans to finalize and sign the July Charter, which will serve as a guiding structure for government policies in the coming months.
The statement said, “International Crisis Group officials praised the arrest of Rohingya rebel leader Ataula this week, calling it an indication of interim government’s commitment for peace and stability in refugee camps.”
The delegation also urged the growing engagement with the Arakan army, which controls most of the Rakhin state of Myanmar. Professor Yunus acknowledged his concerns and said that Bangladesh Rohingya is working to raise human assistance for the refugees. He hoped that the upcoming special United Nations Conference on the Rohingya crisis would attract more international attention to the ongoing human challenges.
Comfort Arrow expressed his group support for Bangladesh in combating wrong information that targeted the country and its interim government. At the conclusion, Professor Yunus reiterated Bangladesh’s will for strong relations with India, but said that most of the misunderstanding campaign against Bangladesh has arisen from the Indian media.
