Ousted Leader’s Son Demands Inclusive Elections in Bangladesh NOW

UPDATE: The son of Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Wazed Joy, has urgently called for the lifting of a ban on his mother’s party, stating that a free and inclusive election is critical for stabilizing the nation. Speaking from Washington D.C. just hours ago, Joy warned that without the participation of the Awami League in the upcoming elections, expected in February 2026, the process would be deemed a “sham.”

Joy’s remarks come in the wake of significant political upheaval in Bangladesh, where the interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has faced mounting pressure over its handling of political dissent. “This ban has to be lifted,” Joy stated. “What is happening now really is an attempt to keep my mother and our political leaders from running in elections. This is political manipulation disguised as justice.”

Under Yunus’s rule, the Awami League has been stripped of its political activities, with many senior leaders arrested or fleeing the country. Joy emphasized that if the ban remains, the elections will not be recognized by the people or international observers. He pointed out, “We are not allowed to conduct any election preparation. So even if the ban is lifted at the last minute, the elections will be a sham.”

The political climate in Bangladesh, home to 170 million people, has been precarious since Hasina’s ouster last year after a student-led uprising. This marks the first election since that dramatic shift in power, and the political landscape has become increasingly fragmented. The main opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is set to be a key contender, while the Jatiya Party faces severe restrictions.

Prominent human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and the Committee to Protect Journalists, have voiced concerns over the “broad ban” on Awami League’s activities, arguing it excessively restricts freedoms and has led to the arrest of party members for peaceful protests.

Joy highlighted the grim realities under the current regime, claiming that around 500 Awami League activists have been murdered since the uprising, with many others facing unjust imprisonment. “The human rights record of this regime is brutal,” he said, underscoring the plight of religious minorities, particularly Hindus, who are reportedly targeted by the interim government.

As tensions escalate, the interim government remains silent on Joy’s allegations, which include claims of a “witch-hunt” against Hasina and her supporters. Last week, a prosecutor sought the death penalty for Hasina in what she described as a “kangaroo court.”

The upcoming election is pivotal for Bangladesh’s democratic future, and as Joy warns, the absence of the Awami League could lead to further instability. “If the situation remains as it is, the Islamists will gain power,” he cautioned, attributing blame to Yunus for allegedly backing extremist groups.

As this situation develops, the international community is urged to pay attention to the unfolding events in Bangladesh, where a nation’s political future hangs in the balance. Stay tuned for further updates on this urgent situation.