US Lawmakers Warn Bangladesh Against Party Bans Ahead of February Elections

A group of US lawmakers has cautioned Bangladesh’s interim government against suspending political parties ahead of the general elections scheduled for February, warning that such moves could undermine democratic credibility and erode public trust.

In a letter addressed to interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, US Representatives Gregory W Meeks, Bill Huizenga, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove stressed that inclusive participation was essential to ensure free and fair elections.

The lawmakers welcomed Yunus’s decision to lead an interim administration during a period of unrest but warned that banning political organisations or reviving what they described as a “flawed” International Crimes Tribunal could jeopardise electoral legitimacy. They argued that suspending entire parties risks disenfranchising large segments of the electorate and weakening democratic institutions.

The warning comes days after Yunus reiterated that Bangladesh would hold general elections on February 12, pledging to restore democratic rights that he said had been curtailed under an autocratic system.

The US lawmakers noted that international observers, including the US Department of State, had previously assessed Bangladesh’s 2018 and 2024 elections as neither free nor fair. They also cited a February report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which estimated that around 1,400 people were killed during protests in mid-2024.

Emphasising democratic norms, the lawmakers said accountability must be based on individual responsibility rather than collective punishment. Suspending political parties, they argued, violates fundamental rights such as freedom of association and risks perpetuating cycles of retaliation.

Their comments come in the backdrop of the interim government’s decision in May 2025 to ban the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act, followed by the suspension of its registration by the Election Commission of Bangladesh.

The lawmakers urged the interim administration—or any future elected government—to revisit decisions that bar parties from participating in the polls. They said the people of Bangladesh deserve an election in which all political forces can contest freely.

Describing Bangladesh as a “critical partner,” the lawmakers said the United States stands ready to support Dhaka’s democratic transition. Separately, US Special Envoy Sergio Gor recently spoke with Yunus, praising his leadership during trade talks that resulted in reduced reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi exports.