Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

1. The AL

1.1. Overview

A report by Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) states that the AL won Bangladesh [national] elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 (Australia 2025-07-23, para. 2.4). The same source reports that following mass anti-government protests in 2024, Sheikh Hasina, the leader of the AL, fled in August 2024, and the party was banned in May 2025 (Australia 2025-07-23, para. 2.5, 2.7). A fact-finding report by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on the protests of July and August 2024, which resulted in an estimated 1,400 deaths, states that

there are reasonable grounds to believe that the former Government and its security and intelligence apparatus, together with violent elements associated with the Awami League, systematically engaged in serious human rights violations, including hundreds of extrajudicial killings, other use of force violations involving serious injuries to thousands of protesters, extensive arbitrary arrest and detention, and torture and other forms of ill-treatment. (UN 2025-02-12, i, iii)

The website of the Bangladesh Election Commission indicates that the AL is "suspended" (Bangladesh n.d.). Sources report that the AL was banned from participating in Bangladesh's February 2026 election (BBC 2026-02-13; Al Jazeera 2026-02-15; The Guardian 2026-02-13). According to the same sources, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won the 2026 election, taking 212 seats (BBC 2026-02-13; Al Jazeera 2026-02-15; The Guardian 2026-02-13). For information on the BNP, see Response to Information Request BGD202582 of May 2026.

1.2. Leadership and Structure

According to sources, Sheikh Hasina became leader of the AL in 1981 (BBC 2025-11-17; AL 2018-09-27; Political Handbook of the World 2025, 21). Hasina was prime minister from 1996 to 2001, and from 2009 to 2024 (Political Handbook of the World 2025, 4, 10; UK 2025-01-23, 4, 9). Sources report that in August 2024, following anti-government protests, Hasina fled the country (ABC News 2024-08-05; BBC 2025-11-17; Reuters 2025-11-17) to India (BBC 2025-11-17; Reuters 2025-11-17). The Guardian reports that Hasina is staying in a "secret hideout" in Delhi (2026-02-03). Freedom House states that many senior AL officials went into hiding following Hasina's resignation (2025-02-26, Sec. A1). The Guardian reports that following Hasina's departure "[t]housands" of AL party members fled, including "[m]ore than" 600 who escaped to Kolkata and have been hiding out there since (2026-02-03).

Information on the structure of the AL could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this response.

1.3. Membership

Information on AL membership was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response. On the AL website, there is an online form that can be completed to join the party (AL n.d.). The membership form on the AL website requires submitting the following information:

• Full name
• Gender
• Date of birth
• Mobile phone number
• Email address
• Division
• District
• Constituency (AL n.d.).
  
  

1.4. Associated Organizations

1.4.1. Factions

Sources report that the AL's student wing, the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), was banned in 2024 following Hasina's resignation (Freedom House 2025-02-26, Sec. D3; Al Jazeera 2024-10-27). Sources report that the BCL was declared a "'terrorist'" organization by Bangladesh's interim government [1] (Al Jazeera 2024-10-27; The Guardian 2026-02-03) and that its president, Saddam Hussain, "faces multiple charges of sedition and crimes against humanity" (The Guardian 2026-02-03). Al Jazeera reports that members of the BCL are facing "eviction, retribution and even imprisonment for their role in trying to suppress the popular revolt against Hasina and for the rights violations they allegedly committed while she was in power" (2024-10-27). The same source reports, citing the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), that in the 5 days after the BCL ban came into effect, "[m]ore than 100 student activists" were arrested countrywide, with "at least" 10 of those arrests being individuals from Dhaka (Al Jazeera 2024-10-27). A senior official from the DMP told Al Jazeera that these arrests are based on "'no specific charges'" and that the individuals are "'under suspicion … largely because of their affiliation with'" the BCL; "'[a]lmost all'" arrests are related to the July 2024 anti-government protests (Al Jazeera 2024-10-27). The same Al Jazeera article reports that 4 BCL leaders from Rajshahi University and Dhaka University were arrested in October 2024 while trying to write exams (2024-10-27). Al Jazeera also reports that in September 2024, a BCL leader was killed by a mob in Rajshahi and a BCL "activist" from Jahangirnagar University was beaten to death (2024-10-27).

Al Jazeera indicates that the Bangladesh Krishak League is a pro-AL organization and that Samiul Bashir is its assistant secretary (2025-01-27). Further information on the Bangladesh Krishak League could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

2. Membership Documents

Information on AL membership documents could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. Treatment of Members and Supporters by Authorities

According to sources, in November 2025, the Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal convicted former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, in absentia, of crimes against humanity and sentenced them to death (Al Jazeera 2025-11-17; Amnesty International 2025-04-28, 95; Human Rights Watch 2025-11-17). The same sources report that the former police chief pled guilty and was sentenced to 5 years in prison (Al Jazeera 2025-11-17; Amnesty International 2025-04-28, 95; Human Rights Watch 2025-11-17).

According to Freedom House, following Hasina's resignation, AL members and leaders "faced significant violence and legal harassment" and leaders "were arrested for crimes based on little evidence" (2025-02-26, Sec. B1, B3). The same source notes that the interim government opened corruption cases targeting former AL government officials (Freedom House 2025-02-26, Sec. C2).

The Business Standard, an English-language newspaper in Bangladesh [2] (The Business Standard n.d.), reports that between August 2024 and September 2025, there were 5,079 former AL members of Parliament (MPs), ministers, party members, and affiliate group members arrested based on "allegations including violent clashes and fatalities during the uprising" (2025-09-05). The source further reports that, during that same period of time, 706 cases were filed at police stations in Dhaka and "nearly" 2,000 total cases were "reported[ly]" filed nationwide (The Business Standard 2025-09-05). The same source notes that Sheikh Hasina, "along with almost all former ministers, state ministers, advisers, MPs, and party leaders, have been named as defendants in these cases" (The Business Standard 2025-09-05). Prothom Alo, a daily newspaper in Bangladesh [3], states that from January to October 2025 the DMP arrested "nearly" 3,000 AL and affiliate activists and leaders "for taking part in flash processions" across Dhaka (2025-10-31).

Freedom House reports that under the interim government, "individuals with past or current affiliations with the AL were harassed, expelled from their jobs, and killed" and that, while the interim government denounced these actions, it was "unable to fully control political retribution" (2025-02-26, Sec. D4). Amnesty International indicates that in December 2025, a journalist was detained under the Anti-Terrorism Act "after a complaint was filed against him and four others for allegedly spreading propaganda in favour of the Awami League" (2025-12-17). Freedom House reports that while "some" protests had taken place "without state restriction" under the interim government, "there were instances in which AL gatherings and supporters were attacked and were not protected by the police" (2025-02-26, Sec. E1).

Prothom Alo reports that following the fall of the AL government, "many lower-tier leaders and activists were arrested"; however, "a significant portion" of those arrested were able to obtain bail "within a few months" (2026-02-28). The same source reports that it has been more difficult for AL members who held significant posts or were former representatives (Prothom Alo 2026-02-28).

The Business Standard reports that in the lead-up to the February 2026 elections "at least" 3,000 AL leaders and activists in Shariatpur officially joined the BNP (2026-02-10). Bdnews24.com, an online newspaper based in Bangladesh [4], states that in Aditmari Upazila, Lalmonirhat, "over a hundred" AL leaders have reportedly joined the local BNP (2026-01-25). Sources report that "[o]ver 100" AL leaders and activists (Barta24.com 2025-11-25) or 5 AL leaders and "many" supporters (SATP 2026-01-06) joined the BNP in Faridpur District (Barta24.com 2025-11-25; SATP 2026-01-06).

The Business Standard quotes an anonymous senior AL leader from Naria as stating that "'[m]any leaders here are facing legal cases or are in jail. We joined the BNP to avoid harassment. Once the situation stabilises, we plan to return to Awami League politics'" (2026-02-10). Prothom Alo indicates that BNP, as well as the Jamaat-e-Islami and Jatiya parties, among others, adopted strategies to attract formerly AL voters (2026-01-09). The same source notes that in some regions AL leaders were being brought into parties and in other regions they were offered promises of legal protection (Prothom Alo 2026-01-09). The source also mentions 2 districts in which the BNP-nominated candidates were previously "associated with" the AL; in a third district, the BNP "dr[ew] criticism" for nominating a businessman "aligned" with the AL (Prothom Alo 2026-01-09).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] Al Jazeera reports that after the fall of the Hasina government, Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus served as Bangladesh's "chief adviser" and led an interim government to oversee the country's "post-uprising transition" from August 2024 to February 2026 (Al Jazeera 2026-02-16).^[back]

[[2] A report on media ownership in Bangladesh by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS), "a non-profit autonomous think-tank" based in Dhaka which "addresses issues of governance, security, and development in Bangladesh," indicates that the Business Standard is owned by the Horizon Media and Publication Ltd., which is a subsidiary of the Orion Group (CGS 2021-01, ii, 8). Sources report that Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) filed charges against the Orion Group's Chairman and Managing Director on allegations of embezzlement (Daily Times of Bangladesh 2026-01-09; BSS 2026-01-08). ^[back]

[3] Sources indicate that Prothom Alo has "maintain[ed] a certain editorial independence" from the government (RSF 2026-04-30) or "does not exhibit a particular political leaning," but has been critical of the AL government for corruption and other issues (BBC 2026-05-15).^[back]

[4] According to the Shongjog Multi-Stakeholder Platform (MSP), a "collaborative effort made up of government, international and national NGOs and other groups" and funded by UK Aid that "ensure[s] that there are identified credible sources of information" and "aim[s] to promote trust between communities and the disaster response sector" (Shongjog MSP n.d.), bdnews24.com is run by a former BBC broadcaster and "draws bipartisan support" (Shongjog MSP 2021-10-12).^[back]

References

Al Jazeera. 2026-02-16. "Bangladesh’s Interim Leader Yunus Steps Down as New Gov't Set to Take Over." [Accessed 2026-04-22]

Al Jazeera. 2026-02-15. Sarah Shamim. "Bangladesh Election Results 2026: Who Won, Who Lost, What's Next?" [Accessed 2026-04-30]

Al Jazeera. 2025-11-17. "Bangladesh Tribunal Sentences Fugitive Ex-PM Sheikh Hasina to Death." [Accessed 2026-05-05]

Al Jazeera. 2025-01-27. Moudud Ahmmed Sujan. "After the Bloodshed: Can Bangladesh's Awami League Resurrect Itself?" [Accessed 2026-04-30]

Al Jazeera. 2024-10-27. Mehedi Hasan Marof. "Bangladesh's New Outcasts: Students from Ex-PM Hasina's Party Now in Hiding." [Accessed 2026-05-04]

American Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) News. 2024-08-05. Sohel Uddin, Salman Saeed, & Morgan Winsor. "Bangladesh Prime Minister Resigns, Flees Country amid Deadly Protests." [Accessed 2026-04-30]

Amnesty International. 2025-12-17. "Bangladesh: Journalist Targeted with Anti-Terror Legislation Must Be Released." [Accessed 2026-05-05]

Amnesty International. 2025-04-28. "Bangladesh." The State of the World's Human Rights: April 2025. [Accessed 2026-05-05]

Australia. 2025-07-23. Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). DFAT Country Information Report: Bangladesh. [Accessed 2026-04-22]

Bangladesh. N.d. Bangladesh Election Commission. "Bangladesh Awami League (Suspended)." [Accessed 2026-05-07]

Bangladesh Awami League (AL). 2018-09-27. "A Life Sketch of Sheikh Hasina; Sentinel of Democracy." [Accessed 2026-04-30]

Bangladesh Awami League (AL). N.d. "Join Us." [Accessed 2026-04-30]

Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS). 2026-01-08. "Mercantile Bank-Orion Group Loan Fraud: ACC Files Case Against 13." [Accessed 2026-05-27]

Barta24.com. 2025-11-25. "Over 100 Awami League Leaders, Activists in Faridpur Join BNP." [Accessed 2026-05-21]

Bdnews24.com. 2026-01-25. Salman Tareque Sakil. "A Missing Party, Millions of Votes: Bangladesh Election Without Awami League May Turn Its Supporters into Kingmakers." [Accessed 2026-05-20]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 2026-05-15. BBC Monitoring. "Highlights from Bangladesh's Bengali-Language Press, Websites 15 May 26." (Factiva) [Accessed 2026-05-15]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 2026-02-13. Simon Fraser & Yogita Limaye. "Bangladesh Nationalist Party Sweeps to Victory in First Election Since Gen Z Uprising." [Accessed 2026-04-30]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 2025-11-17. Anbarasan Ethirajan & Tessa Wong. "Sheikh Hasina: The Pro-Democracy Icon Who Became an Autocrat." [Accessed 2026-04-30]

The Business Standard. 2026-02-10. "3,000 Awami League Leaders, Activists Join BNP in Shariatpur." [Accessed 2026-05-20]

The Business Standard. 2025-09-05. Ariful Islam. "5.079 Awami League Leaders Charged; Anisul Tops in Cases, Palak in Remand." [Accessed 2026-05-21]

The Business Standard. N.d. "About Business Standard." [Accessed 2026-05-25]

Centre for Governance Studies (CGS). 2021-01. Ali Riaz & Mohammad Sajjadur Rahman. Who Owns the Media in Bangladesh? [Accessed 2026-05-26]

Daily Times of Bangladesh. 2026-01-09. "Orion Bosses Face ACC Case over Tk507cr." [Accessed 2026-05-27]

Freedom House. 2025-02-26. "Bangladesh." Freedom in the World 2025. [Accessed 2026-04-30]

Human Rights Watch. 2025-11-17. "Bangladesh: Hasina Found Guilty of Crimes Against Humanity." [Accessed 2026-05-05]

The Guardian. 2026-02-13. Hannah Ellis-Petersen. "Bangladesh Election: BNP Wins Historic First Vote Since Overthrow of Hasina." [Accessed 2026-04-30]

The Guardian. 2026-02-03. Hannah Ellis-Petersen. "The Exiled Awami League Members Plotting a Political Comeback in Bangladesh – From India." [Accessed 2026-05-04]

Political Handbook of the World 2024-2025. 2025. "Bangladesh." Edited by Tom Lansford. Thousand Oaks: CQ Press. [Accessed 2026-04-22]

Prothom Alo. 2026-02-28. Anowar Hossain. "Hints of Activity amid Ban, What Awami League Is Calculating." [Accessed 2026-05-05]

Prothom Alo. 2026-01-09. Anowar Hossain. "Silent Race to Court Awami League Votes." [Accessed 2026-05-20]

Prothom Alo. 2025-10-31. "Nearly 3,000 Awami League Leaders-Activists Arrested from Flash Processions in Dhaka This Year." [Accessed 2026-05-21]

Reporters sans frontières (RSF). 2026-04-30. "Bangladesh." 2026 World Press Freedom Index. [Accessed 2026-05-15]

Reuters. 2025-11-17. Ruma Paul. "Key Events in Bangladesh as Hasina Sentenced to Death." [Accessed 2026-04-30]

Shongjog Multi-Stakeholder Platform (Shongjog MSP). 2021-10-12. "Bdnews24.com." [Accessed 2026-05-25]

Shongjog Multi-Stakeholder Platform (Shongjog MSP). N.d. "About Shongjog." [Accessed 2026-05-25]

South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP). 2026-01-06. "Detail of Terrorism Update: Tuesday, January 6, 2026." [Accessed 2026-05-28]

United Kingdom (UK). 2025-01-23. House of Commons Library. Bangladesh: The Fall of the Hasina Government and Recent Political Developments. By John Curtis. No. 10096. [Accessed 2026-04-30]

United Nations (UN). 2025-02-12. UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR). Fact-Finding Report: Human Rights Violations and Abuses Related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh. [Accessed 2026-04-22]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Ain o Salish Kendra; Asian Human Rights Commission; Bangladesh Awami League; Bangladesh Awami Jubo League; Bangladesh Human Rights Commission; Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust; Centre for Alternatives; Human Rights Support Society; Ireland Awami League; Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation; Odhikar; Sweden Awami League; USA Awami League.

Internet sites, including: Ain o Salish Kendra; Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development; Asian Human Rights Commission; Atlantic Council; Austrian Red Cross – ecoi.net; Banglanews24.com; CBC; The Daily Star; Dainik Ittefaq; Deutsche Welle; The Diplomat; EU – EU Agency for Asylum; European Foundation for South Asian Studies; Fédération internationale pour les droits humains; Human Rights Support Society; The Independent [Bangladesh]; Institute of Development and Economic Alternatives; International Crisis Group; Ireland Awami League; The New Nation; Odhikar; RAND Corporation; UK – Home Office; UN – Refworld, UNESCO; US – Department of State.