Ban on AL activities remains as anti-terrorism bill passed

Parliament has passed the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Act, 2026, upholding the ban on the activities of the Awami League. 
The new law amends the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2009, incorporating provisions introduced through an ordinance issued by the interim government.
The original 2009 law empowered the government to ban any entity or organisation. The amendment expands this authority, allowing it to prohibit not only organisations but also their activities. Based on this provision, the interim government issued the Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Ordinance on 11 May 2025, followed by an executive order on 12 May suspending all activities of the Awami League. Earlier, on 23 October 2024, the government had banned its student wing, Chhatra League.
The ordinance included measures enabling authorities to restrict rallies, meetings, publications and other activities of banned entities. It also introduced the clause allowing the government to “declare all activities of the entity prohibited” alongside listing it as banned.
Clause 3 of the new law prohibits press statements, publications and promotional activities – across print, electronic, online and social media – conducted by or in support of such entities. It also bars rallies, meetings, press conferences and public speeches.
According to the bill’s statement of objectives, the 2009 law was enacted to prevent terrorism and ensure punishment. While it allowed listing individuals or organisations as involved in terrorism through gazette notifications, it lacked clear provisions to ban their activities. The amendment addresses this gap by revising Sections 18 and 20.
After Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed presented the bill, Opposition Leader Dr Shafiqur Rahman sought to speak but was denied by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed on procedural grounds. 
Shafiqur said members received the bill only “three to four minutes earlier” and requested more time for review. The speaker ruled there was no scope for objections at that stage, citing parliamentary rules.
Supporting the bill, the home minister said it aimed to ban a “genocidal terrorist organisation” and reflected public opinion shaped by opposition movements. 
He added that the Awami League’s registration remains suspended and that related changes were made to the ICT Act.
The bill was later passed by a voice vote.