Maryam Mastoor

Ms Maryam Mastoor is Research Analyst at the Institute of Regional Studies.

DOI: http://DOI Number

Keywords: Awami League, Bangladesh, revenge, International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), elections, boycott, BNP, violence,  Europe,  vendetta

Abstract

The ruling party in Bangladesh, Awami League, has openly taken a vindictive political stance since coming to office in 2009. The Awami League on March 25, 2010 formed a local tribunal called the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). Its stated purpose was to apprehend and try those responsible for atrocities like genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes, as well as other violations of international law. International law specialists have stated that this court is inadequate for dispensing justice in accordance with international norms. In 2009 and 2014, the Awami League won back-to-back elections. Violence marred the 2014 election process. Human Rights Watch reports that the 2014 elections were the worst since independence, with hundreds slain. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its affiliates, the country’s second largest political party, decided to not participate in the elections. Sheikh Hasina promised to keep up the so-called trials of war criminals in her electoral platform in 2014. Rather than progressing into the future.In this research, we analyse the Awami League’s promotion of vengeful politics. There are three distinct parts to it. The first offers background information on the events of 1971. The second portion explains the political vendetta Awami League is pursuing via ICT, and the third shows how the party is stifling dissenting opinions. It will do so by contrasting European politics with those of Bangladesh and analysing how European countries, despite internal and foreign problems, have avoided political victimisation in order to grow into economic superpowers.

First Published

June 25, 2016

How to Cite

Maryam Mastoor, “Awami League’s Politics of Vengeance,” Regional Studies 34, no.3 (Summer 2016): 29-53, https://regionalstudies.com.pk/wp/article/awami-leagues-politics-of-vengeance/

Issue

Volume 33, Issue 3