The ordinance amending the Anti-Terrorism Act has been published in the form of a gazette. The Ministry of Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs issued the ordinance on Sunday night (May 11). Prior to this, the draft was approved in a meeting of the Advisory Council chaired by the Chief Adviser.

Since the parliament is not in session, the President issued the ordinance under the authority granted by Article 93(1) of the Constitution to take prompt action through further amendments to the law. The ordinance was later published in the gazette.

The amendment to Section 20 of the Act states:

(a) In Subsection (1) of Section 20, the phrase and number “if any person is listed under the provisions of Section 18 or any entity is banned” shall be replaced with “if any action is taken against any person or entity under Subsection (1) of Section 18.” The numbers and brackets will also be updated accordingly.

(b) In Clause (c) of Subsection (1)(a), the word “banned” shall be replaced with “said,” and Clause (g) shall be replaced with the following:
“(g) Any publication or printing of press statements or any form of propaganda on behalf of or in support of such an entity through media, online, social media, or any other platform, or organizing rallies, meetings, public gatherings, or press conferences, or delivering public speeches shall be prohibited.”

(c) In Subsection (2), the word “banned” shall be replaced with the phrase, number, and brackets “as mentioned in Subsection (1)”; and

(d) In Subsection (3), the phrase “listed person or banned organization” shall be replaced with “any person or entity against whom action has been taken under Subsection (1) of Section 18.” The numbers and brackets will be updated accordingly.

It is worth noting that on Saturday night, in response to the student and public movement, a decision was made to ban the activities of the Awami League. The decision was said to be taken to protect national security and sovereignty, ensure the safety of July Movement activists, and safeguard plaintiffs and witnesses in the tribunal. The ban, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, will remain in effect until the trial is concluded.