According to a Reuters report, the JP has "forged an alliance" with the AL (27 Feb. 1995), Bangladesh's largest opposition party (AP 8 Oct. 1995; Reuters 2 Sept. 1995). Other sources state that the Awami League (AL) is allied with both the Jatiya Party (JP) and the Jammat-i-Islami (JI) (ibid.; AP 8 Oct. 1995; The Guardian 19 Sept. 1995).

In December 1994, 147 opposition members from the AL, JP and JI resigned from the 330-seat National Parliament to protest against the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government (UPI 6 Sept. 1995; Reuters 3 Sept. 1995). Although this mass resignation was rejected by the speaker on 23 February 1995 (UPI 12 Mar. 1995), in July 1995 these opposition seats were declared vacant (AFP 7 Oct. 1995), leaving only the BNP in Parliament (UPI 6 Sept. 1995).

Information on antagonism, harassment and/or violence between JP and AL members could not be found among the sources consulted by the DIRB.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

Agence France Presse (AFP). 7 October 1995. "Opposition Ready to Respond to PM, Anti-Government Strike Starts." (NEXIS)

Associated Press (AP) Worldstream. 8 October 1995. Farid Hossain. "35 Injured on Second Day of Anti-Government Strike." (NEXIS)

The Bangladesh Observer [Dhaka]. 14 September 1995. "BNP, JP Clash: One Killed in Magura."

The Guardian [London]. 19 September 1995. "Strike Damages Bangladesh." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 3 September 1995. BC Cycle. Anis Ahmed. "Bangladesh Returns to Life After Massive Strike." (NEXIS)

_____. 2 September 1995. BC Cycle. Anis Ahmed. "Bangladesh Police Battle Bomb-Throwing Pickets." (NEXIS)

_____. 27 February 1995. BC Cycle. "Ex-President's Wife Enters Bangladesh Politics." (NEXIS)

United Press International (UPI). 6 September 1995. BC Cycle. "Opposition Strike Paralyzes Capital." (NEXIS)

_____. 12 March 1995. BC Cycle. "Strike Cripples Bangladesh." (NEXIS)

Associated Press (AP). 8 October 1995. Farid Hossain. "35 Injured on Second Day of Anti-Government Strike." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 3 September 1995. BC Cycle. Anis Ahmed. "Bangladesh Returns to Life After Massive Strike." (NEXIS)