New York, May 22 -- Recent legislative initiatives by Bangladesh's interim government risk undermining fundamental freedoms and it is attempting to suppress the rights of supporters of the deposed leader, Sheikh Hasina, Human Rights Watch said on Thursday.

Human Rights Watch said that instead of pursuing its pledge to reform the criminal justice system and bring accountability for serious abuses, the government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is attempting to suppress the rights of supporters of Awami League party.

On May 12, the interim government ordered a "temporary" ban on the Awami League, using newly introduced powers under a draconian amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act. The ban includes, among other actions, meetings, pub...