Statements of Jamaat-Shibir can’t be published: AG

The publication of statements from Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Shibir, and all their affiliated organisations, which are banned under the Anti-Terrorism Act, is now prohibited.

Attorney General Abu Muhammad Amin Uddin informed reporters on Thursday (August 1) that "No statement, comment, opinion, or speech from a banned organisation or individual can be publicised in any form." 

The government has officially designated Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir, and all their affiliated entities as banned political organisations under the authority granted by Section 18(1) of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009.

A notification to this effect was issued by the Public Security Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs on Thursday.

The government will take action against the listed individuals or prohibited entities under Section 20 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009 (Act 16 of 2009).

According to the Act, the government is empowered to prohibit the publication, printing, or publicity of press statements from listed individuals or prohibited entities under Section 20-1(e).

Section 20-1 outlines the measures the government can take against listed individuals or prohibited entities. If a person is listed or an entity is prohibited under Section 18, the government may, in addition to other measures outlined in the Act, take actions such as: (a) closing the offices of the said entity, (b) blocking the bank and other accounts and seizing all assets, (c) imposing travel restrictions on members of the prohibited entity, (d) confiscating all leaflets, posters, banners, or other printed, electronic, or digital materials, (e) prohibiting the publication, printing, publicity, press conferences, or public speaking of any press statement by or on behalf of the prohibited entity.

FH/NMA