FLORIDA: The Florida State Awami League organized a discussion meeting and prayer gathering in Lake Worth, Florida, on Saturday to mark the 80th birthday of Sheikh Hasina, president of the Bangladesh Awami League. The event, held in the evening at Krazy Mario Restaurant, was attended by leaders, activists, supporters and well-wishers of the Florida State Awami League.

The program began with a special prayer seeking Sheikh Hasina’s good health, long life and well-being. The event was chaired by Florida State Awami League President and freedom fighter Nannu Ahmed and moderated by the organization’s General Secretary Mujib Uddin.

M. Fazlur Rahman, a freedom fighter and president of the U.S. Awami League’s Southern Chapter, was the keynote speaker. He discussed Sheikh Hasina’s political career, leadership and role in Bangladesh’s politics. In his remarks, Rahman said that people in Bangladesh are recognizing what he described as the need for Sheikh Hasina’s leadership under the current circumstances and want to see her serve again as prime minister. He also credited Sheikh Hasina’s government with progress in various sectors, including the economy, food, electricity, energy and gas.

Rahman expressed hope that Sheikh Hasina would return to Bangladesh in December. He also called on party leaders and activists to maintain organizational unity and continue their activities. Other speakers included Florida State Awami League Vice Presidents Salma Rahman Minu, Imtiaz Hasan, Nafiz Ahmed, Sheikh Babul and M. Rahman Zahir; Bangabandhu Parishad President Engineer Ikramul Islam Bhuiyan; freedom fighter Bulbul Chowdhury; Organizing Secretary Sazzadur Rahman; Mozammel Hossain; Sirajul Islam; Mohammad Chhadurul; and Bangladesh Mahila Awami League Vice President Dolly Ahmed, Lina Haque and Rabeya Begum, among others.

Speakers discussed various aspects of Sheikh Hasina’s political career, leadership and role in Bangladesh’s politics at different times. They also prayed for her good health and long life. In closing remarks, Florida State Awami League President Nannu Ahmed and General Secretary Mujib Uddin thanked the leaders, guests, supporters and well-wishers who attended the program.

NEW YORK: A protest rally was held outside the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday, with the Bangladesh Sramik League USA chapter calling for the withdrawal of the ban imposed on the Bangladesh Awami League and the Sramik League. The protest was organized at 2 p.m. during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly session. Organizers said the demonstration was aimed at drawing international attention to their demands, including the withdrawal of restrictions on the Sramik League in accordance with the principles of International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions.

Nazmul Alam Romen, an executive member of the central committee of the Bangladesh Sramik League, addressed the rally as the chief guest. The event was chaired by Kazi Azizul Haque Khokon, president of the Sramik League USA, and moderated by Jewel Ahmed, general secretary of the organization. Speakers alleged that following August 5, 2024, the activities of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated and associated organizations were banned through an executive order. They further claimed that the activities of the Bangladesh Sramik League, which they described as affiliated with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), were also prohibited in violation of labour laws.

The speakers said the right to form and join trade unions is recognized by the ILO as a fundamental labour right. They said protecting trade union rights is important for ensuring democratic conditions in the workplace and allowing workers to pursue their legitimate demands.

Referring to ILO conventions, the speakers said Convention No. 87 protects freedom of association and the right to organize, while Convention No. 98 provides protection against anti-union discrimination. They alleged that the ban on the Sramik League’s activities through an executive order violates these principles.

The speakers also alleged that the headquarters of the Bangladesh Awami League and the Sramik League at 23 Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka had been burned and destroyed, while offices of various trade unions affiliated with the Sramik League had been closed.

They further claimed that thousands of Sramik League activists had lost their jobs and that workers had been killed or injured in attacks, while others were being harassed through what they described as false cases.

The rally called for the withdrawal of the restrictions on the Bangladesh Awami League and the immediate lifting of the ban on the Sramik League’s activities, which the speakers said should be done in accordance with ILO conventions. The speakers also called on the ILO, ITUC, international human rights organizations and the broader international community to take notice of their concerns.

Among those attending the rally were Sramik League USA leaders M.A. Alam Biplob, Laskar Moyzur Rahman Jewel, Abdur Razzak Anwar, Md. Motaleb Hossain and Saidul Islam, among others.

New York — The US Awami League is scheduled to hold a press conference in New York at 8 p.m. on September 24, with Bangladesh Awami League President and former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expected to participate as the chief guest, according to the organization. The announcement was made by US Awami League President Dr. Siddiqur Rahman during a torchlight procession and protest rally organized by the party at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, New York, on Saturday, September 19.

According to Dr. Siddiqur Rahman, Sheikh Hasina will deliver what the organization described as a guideline-setting address on the future of Bangladesh. He also said she would make an important decision concerning her planned return to Bangladesh in December. Sheikh Hasina said in a Reuters interview published in July that she planned to return to Bangladesh in December, despite facing legal proceedings and a death sentence. She has been living in India since leaving Bangladesh in August 2024.

Torchlight rally in Jackson Heights

The September 19 rally brought together leaders and activists from the US Awami League and its affiliated organizations, including the Jubo League, Sramik League, Swechchhasebak League, Mohila Awami League and Chhatra League. Participants chanted slogans including “Go back, go back, Tarique, Tarique” and “Step down, step down, Tarique, Tarique” during the procession and rally.

The program was chaired by US Awami League President Dr. Siddiqur Rahman and moderated by the organization’s General Secretary Abdus Samad Azad. According to the organizers, the protest was held in response to court verdicts involving Sheikh Hasina and leaders of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations, the situation surrounding the lockdown in Dhaka, and the planned visit of BNP Chairman and Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to the United States.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. Siddiqur Rahman said the US Awami League would organize protest and resistance programs wherever Tarique Rahman is present between September 21 and 25. He also called on Awami League supporters living in the United States to participate in programs organized by the US Awami League.

Sheikh Hasina’s planned December return

Sheikh Hasina has publicly said she intends to return to Bangladesh in December. In an interview with Reuters published in July, she said she planned to return from India despite the legal consequences she could face. In August, she again said she intended to return to Bangladesh and that the exact date would be announced when the time was appropriate, while indicating that she wanted the return to take place in December.

The issue has gained renewed attention following recent court proceedings involving former Awami League officials. On September 15, a Bangladesh tribunal sentenced seven former aides of Sheikh Hasina to death in absentia in cases connected to the 2024 crackdown, according to Al Jazeera. The report said the defendants were convicted of crimes including murder and inciting killings.

Political activity intensifies in New York

Tarique Rahman’s visit to New York for the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly has prompted increased political activity among Bangladeshis in the United States.

The US Awami League leadership said it has planned a series of demonstrations, protests and other programs in New York and elsewhere in the United States throughout the period of Tarique Rahman’s stay for the UN General Assembly. According to party leaders, Awami League supporters from different US states and other countries have begun arriving in the United States to participate in the planned programs.

The BNP’s US organization has also been holding programs ahead of Tarique Rahman’s visit, including a “Meet the Press” event in New York, where the party called on expatriate Bangladeshis to support its activities surrounding the prime minister’s UNGA visit.

With competing political groups preparing separate programs around the UN General Assembly, the period is expected to bring increased political activity within the Bangladeshi-American community in New York.

The US Awami League says Sheikh Hasina’s September 24 address will focus on Bangladesh’s future and will include an announcement concerning her planned return to the country. The details of that announcement remain to be seen.