Wales Awami League marks Hasina’s return anniversary

London — Leaders of the Wales branch of the UK Awami League have issued a statement marking the anniversary of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s return to Bangladesh on 17 May, describing the date as a significant moment in the country’s political history.

In a joint statement, Mohammad Mokis Mansur, a central member of the UK Awami League and president of its Wales branch, along with branch general secretary M A Malik, said Sheikh Hasina’s return from exile in 1981 had given “new direction” to Bangladesh’s democratic movement and political future.

The statement described Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, as a symbol of “hope and aspiration” for many Bangladeshis following a period of political uncertainty after the assassination of most of her family members in 1975.

The leaders said her return had contributed to restoring momentum to what they described as the ideals of democracy, the Liberation War and national development.

The statement also carried strong political criticism of the current situation in Bangladesh. The Wales Awami League leaders claimed the country was facing instability and alleged that people’s democratic rights had been undermined.

They further expressed hope that Sheikh Hasina would one day return to Bangladesh again and, in their words, help rebuild the country as a “welfare-oriented state”.

The statement added that the Awami League believes Sheikh Hasina remains the party’s central political figure and said her relationship with the people of Bangladesh was “inseparable”.

The remarks were issued ahead of the 46th anniversary of Sheikh Hasina’s return to Bangladesh.

The statement was released on behalf of the Wales branch of the UK Awami League by office secretary Sheikh Mohammad Anwar on 17 May 2026.