Bangladesh bar bans 20+ Awami League lawyers from SCBA elections
Synopsis
More than 20 lawyers allegedly linked to the Awami League have been barred from Bangladesh's Supreme Court Bar Association elections after an extraordinary general meeting in Dhaka. A France-based rights body, JMBF, has condemned the move as political discrimination and called for the immediate reinstatement of disqualified candidates ahead of the May 13–14 vote.
Key Takeaways
The Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) cancelled nominations of over 20 lawyers allegedly affiliated with the Awami League .
The decision followed an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) in Dhaka , reportedly requested by around 100 BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and NCP-affiliated lawyers .
The SCBA elections are scheduled for 13–14 May 2026 .
Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) condemned the move as a blatant attack on democracy and the rule of law.
JMBF called for immediate reinstatement of all disqualified candidates and a free, fair electoral process.
The Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has cancelled the nomination papers of more than 20 lawyers allegedly affiliated with the Awami League, effectively barring them from contesting the association's annual elections scheduled for 13–14 May 2026. The move has drawn sharp condemnation from Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based international human rights organisation, which described the decision as a direct attack on democracy and the independence of the legal profession.
What Happened at the EGM
According to JMBF, citing media reports and verified sources, the SCBA cancelled the nominations following an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) held in Dhaka. Members reportedly voted to bar pro-Awami League lawyers from contesting, citing a legal prohibition on the party's activities. Reports also indicate that around 100 lawyers affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) had earlier petitioned the bar leadership to convene the EGM specifically to enforce such a ban.
Rights Body's Condemnation
JMBF described the move as both
Point of View
But the real accountability question is domestic: whether Bangladesh's judiciary and civil society will push back, or allow professional bodies to become instruments of the new political order.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Awami League-affiliated lawyers barred from SCBA elections?
The Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association cancelled their nomination papers following an extraordinary general meeting in Dhaka, citing a legal prohibition on Awami League activities. Rights group JMBF has condemned the move as political discrimination with no place in a credible legal institution.
When are the SCBA elections scheduled?
The Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association elections are scheduled for 13–14 May 2026.
Who condemned the SCBA decision and why?
Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based international human rights organisation, condemned the decision on 29 April 2025, calling it a blatant attack on democracy, the rule of law, and the independence of the legal profession.
What has JMBF demanded?
JMBF called for the immediate and unconditional reversal of the disqualification, the reinstatement of all barred candidates, and a guarantee of a free, fair, and inclusive SCBA electoral process.
Which parties' lawyers reportedly pushed for the ban?
Around 100 lawyers affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, and the National Citizen Party (NCP) reportedly petitioned the bar leadership to convene the extraordinary general meeting to decide on barring pro-Awami League lawyers from contesting.
