Bangladesh Responds to India as AL's Wounds Remain Fresh

Noting that elections are entirely Bangladesh's internal matter, the Chief Adviser's Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, said on Tuesday that the wounds caused by the crimes against humanity committed by the Awami League (AL) are still fresh.

"The wounds caused by the crimes against humanity perpetrated by this party remain fresh," he said in response to India's comments on the ban of AL activities. "We have witnessed how the Awami League completely destroyed our democratic fabric, severely squeezed our political space, and compromised our sovereignty during its 15-year-long tyrannical and kleptocratic rule," Alam added.

He reiterated that the ban on AL activities is necessary to protect national security and sovereignty, ensure the safety of July Movement activists, and safeguard plaintiffs and witnesses of the International Crimes Tribunal.

"As for elections, we recall how the Awami League repeatedly resorted to grossly farcical elections, causing irreparable damage to our electoral processes and institutions," the press secretary said.

The interim government, he said, is engaged in a reform process to rebuild the country's democratic system. "Elections are entirely our internal matter. We urge all to respect the sovereign will of our people in matters relating to elections," Alam concluded.