Awami League (AL) leaders who have not been involved in any wrongdoing, crime or genocide can apologise and return to the mainstream without facing obstacles in elections, said Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium on the final day of the Deputy Commissioners' (DC) Conference, Asif referred to a statement by adviser Nahid Islam, reaffirming that former AL members not implicated in any offences could seek forgiveness and re-enter the political process.
Addressing Awami League's participation in local government elections, Asif said that most individuals involved in genocide and crimes during past authoritarian rule were either fugitives or already imprisoned due to existing cases against them.
He clarified that those directly linked to genocide would not be allowed to contest elections under any circumstances.
The adviser mentioned the United Nations report on human rights, which has documented the genocide committed by the Awami League on an international scale. Drawing parallels with historical fascist regimes in Germany and Italy, he said that AL should be held accountable for its actions.
"We consider European nations as models of democracy. History has shown how fascist regimes in Germany and Italy faced consequences. Since this genocide is now internationally documented, there should be some form of punishment for the party," he said.
When asked about whether local government elections would be held under party symbols or not as before, the adviser said the reform commission has been reviewing the matter, and a consensus commission would further consult before finalising policies.
