Political change and trials after the July 2024 uprisingCEFR B1
7 Apr 2026
Adapted from Abhimanyu Bandyopadhyay, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Bornil Amin, Unsplash
The student-led July 2024 uprising brought major change in Bangladesh. The prime minister was removed on 5 August 2024 and large numbers of Awami League members left the country, with some going to India, the UK and the US. In May 2025 the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus banned the Awami League under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal left Bangladesh on the same day as the prime minister and now lives in Kolkata. On 17 November 2025 the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced him to death for crimes against humanity linked to the July uprising. A three-member panel, led by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, found him liable alongside Sheikh Hasina and ordered confiscation of their properties and compensation to victims' families.
After nearly nineteen months underground Kamal spoke in person with Abhimanyu Bandyopadhyay. He called the 13th National Parliamentary Elections a "total sham," alleged ballot stuffing and advance voting slips, and noted Jamaat-e-Islami gained 68 seats. He cited a DGFI pre-election survey saying 51 percent favoured the Awami League, a claim an editor notes lacks a public record. Kamal said the party would have won if allowed and that it will monitor the new administration. He criticised the tribunal as unlawful and closed to proper representation, rejected genocide claims, gave different death counts from various sources, and asked for a fair judicial process so the party can present its facts.
Difficult words
- uprising — a sudden public action to change governmentJuly uprising
- interim — temporary, serving for a short period
- ban — officially stop something and make it illegalbanned
- tribunal — a court that handles serious crimesInternational Crimes Tribunal
- confiscation — official taking away of property by government
- compensation — money paid to people who suffered loss
- ballot stuffing — illegal filling of ballots to change results
- liable — legally responsible for a wrong or damage
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think many Awami League members left the country after the prime minister was removed? Explain in two or three sentences.
- Kamal criticised both the election and the tribunal. What problems did he mention about each one? Give two examples.
- Kamal asked for a fair judicial process so the party can present its facts. What steps would make a trial fair, in your opinion?
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