Reconciliation possible only with AL supporters who stayed, but party crimes must face justice: Information adviser

Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Prime Minister Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said reconciliation could be pursued only with those Awami League leaders, activists and supporters who did not flee Bangladesh after the July Uprising, provided the conditions were there for such a rapprochement.

Speaking at a regular press briefing at the Secretariat, he said there had been extensive discussions on the issue since August 5, 2024, especially given that the party still has support from its base in the country.

“Unfortunately, among those who are in this country, a certain percentage of people — we can debate the percentage, but I am not going into that debate — still support the Awami League after these incidents. They are citizens of this country,” he said.

He said settlement with these people, or those who actively were involved in AL politics, was not a bad idea, given the right circumstances.

Citing the example of South Africa, he said such a reconciliation was only possible if the party’s crimes were acknowledged and repented. 

“But repentance alone isn’t enough; there has to be legal action.”

He said only under these conditions would the issue of reconciliation come up.

“But we were surprised to see after August 5 till now that the party and its top leader continue to blame and threaten us.”

Rahman said it would be difficult for the government to speak of reconciliation against the backdrop of continued threats from the AL, whose political activities remain banned.

The adviser alleged that the AL itself does not want reconciliation. “They are not seeking it. Reconciliation has to be sought by them,” he said.

He urged those who want reconciliation to approach the AL directly.

“If anyone wants reconciliation, if they feel it is good, and I also think it is good, they should contact the Awami League and talk to them,” he said.

The issue of reconciliation came up at the “Bay of Bengal Conversation”, organised by the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at a Dhaka hotel yesterday, where discussants emphasised that alongside the trial of crimes, reconciliation is also needed.

Without it, they said, society remains deeply divided.

They noted that ensuring justice and accountability for crimes committed during the Liberation War, the violence in the Hill Tracts, and the July mass uprising was essential, and that reconciliation was equally necessary.