Bangladesh’s caretaker government has lifted the ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami party, previously imposed under an anti-terrorism law by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration.
The decision, announced Wednesday, comes after no concrete evidence was found linking the party to terrorist activities. The original ban was set during a tumultuous period of student-led protests that escalated into an uprising, resulting in Hasina’s resignation and subsequent departure to India on August 5.
A gazette notification issued by the caretaker government stated the absence of specific evidence against Jamaat and its affiliates in terrorist activities. The party, which had been barred from contesting elections since a 2013 court ruling due to conflicts with Bangladesh’s secular constitution, has consistently denied any involvement in violence and criticized the ban as illegal and unconstitutional.
Shishir Monir, representing Jamaat legally, announced plans to petition the Supreme Court early next week to seek restoration of the party’s registration.
