Dhaka, June 10, (Business Wire) The Awami League has today expressed deep concern over UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s reportedly scheduled meeting this week with Muhammad Yunus, the self-declared Chief Adviser of Bangladesh – warning that any formal meeting lends legitimacy to an unelected and unconstitutional administration.
“It is ironic that an unelected leader is visiting the home of modern parliamentary democracy and expecting a warm welcome. Sir Keir Starmer must press Dr Yunus to commit to elections that are free and fair, rather than rigged against his critics.”
A formal letter from the Awami League’s UK branch has been sent to Downing Street, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the King’s Foundation, and the Commonwealth Secretariat, urging British officials not to unwittingly launder Yunus’s administration just as Bangladesh’s crisis deepens. Yunus visits London this week.
At a time when Bangladesh is experiencing economic decline, escalating political repression, and growing human rights abuses – particularly against women and girls – the UK Government’s decision to engage with Mr Yunus threatens to send a damaging signal about the primacy of democracy and the rule of law. Upon arrival in the UK, Mr Yunus is expected to be greeted by demonstrators including Bangladeshis living in the UK who have been forced to flee since his accession to power ten months ago.
Tensions have escalated due to the recent banning of the Awami League by the Yunus government, which represents a deeply alarming departure from democratic norms. The Awami League is one of Bangladesh’s founding parties and is still supported by tens of millions of citizens and expatriates. Last week Yunus announced general elections in April 2026. Even if this promise is fulfilled, the Awami League’s forced exclusion from political participation will render this election inherently undemocratic.
Furthermore, freedom of the press in Bangladesh is under unprecedented attack. Journalists seen to support the Awami League have been arrested, and politically motivated charges have been brought against at least 140 others. Human Rights Watch has highlighted a disturbing practice by authorities of filing vague or mass criminal complaints, enabling the arbitrary arrest of thousands – mostly targeting Awami League supporters.
In the wake of the student-led quota movement, the country has descended into violence and instability. In the three months following last summer’s protests, over 2,000 attacks against Hindus and other minorities were recorded, and this figure has only risen. Women and girls are also being disproportionately affected: child rape cases rose significantly in early 2025, while a girls’ football tournament was cancelled under pressure from Islamist factions.
Civil unrest continues to grow. Most recently, public sector workers have taken to the streets to oppose unpopular reforms, adding to widespread discontent. The nation’s once high-growth economy, credited with lifting millions out of poverty, has been downgraded by the IMF, which warned GDP growth had fallen from 5.1% to 3.3% “reflecting economic disruptions caused by the popular uprising, a tighter policy mix, and heightened uncertainty that weighed on investment.” The IMF also warned Yunus he needed to improve his regime’s governance and transparency and that his legal reforms “should align with international standards.”
END
Awami League, Yunus, London visit, UK PM Srarmer, Democracy,
