Dhaka, May 23 -- Recent legislative initiatives by Bangladesh's interim government risk undermining fundamental freedoms, Human Rights Watch said in its latest update on Bangladesh this week. 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 the deposed leader, Sheikh Hasina, and the Awami League party, according to HRW.

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, publications, and online speech suppo...