Ordinance issued allowing tribunal to ban political parties

The government has promulgated the International Crimes (Tribunals) (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, introducing provisions to ban or punish political parties, following its approval in an Advisory Council meeting.

The ordinance was issued by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law on Saturday (May 10) and was officially published on Sunday (May 11). It was promulgated by the President under Article 93(1) of the Constitution.

In recent weeks, several political parties, including the National Citizen Party (NCP), have been demanding a ban on the ruling Awami League, sparking widespread protests. In response, the Advisory Council convened on Saturday and decided to amend the International Crimes Tribunal Act to enable a legal ban on the Awami League, suspending all party activities pending trial of its leaders.

The amendment introduces a new section, 20(B), titled ‘Punishment for Organisations’. It states: “Notwithstanding anything in this law or any other law currently in force, if the Tribunal finds that an organization has committed, directed, initiated, assisted, incited, provoked, conspired, supported, or participated in any offense under Section 3, Subsection (2) of this law, the Tribunal will have the authority to suspend or prohibit the activities of the organization, declare the organization banned, suspend or revoke its registration or license, and confiscate its property.”

The ordinance also adds a definition of "organization," which includes any political party, affiliated or authorized entity, or individuals associated with the party who, in the Tribunal’s opinion, propagate, support, assist, or are involved in its activities.