OP-ED: Why Is the BNP Government So Afraid of Dhanmondi 32?

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Advocate Shahanur Islam

Is Dhanmondi 32 merely an address? A demolished house? Or is it such a powerful symbol of Bangladesh’s history, the Liberation War, political memory, and national identity that, although it may be physically destroyed, it cannot be erased from history? On 15 August, this question has once again emerged with even greater urgency: Why is the government so afraid of Dhanmondi 32?

BANGLADESH ALERT: Arbitrary Mass Arrest of 53 Awami League and Affiliated Organisation Leaders and Activists, Including Women, in Dhaka

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Paris, France | 14 August 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based international human rights organisation, expresses its deep concern, strong condemnation, and protest over the arbitrary mass arrest, under the Anti-Terrorism Act, of 53 leaders and activists of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated organisations from a residential building in the Bhatara area of Dhaka on the night of 13 August.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern over the Cancellation of Residential Seats of Two University of Dhaka Students over Allegations of “Homosexuality”

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Paris, France | 12 August 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based international human rights organization, expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the permanent cancellation of the residential seats of two first-year students of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Hall at the University of Dhaka and their forced removal from the hall on 11 August, following allegations that they were involved in so-called “homosexuality.”

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern over the Extrajudicial Killing of Bangladeshi Youth Tara Mia by BSF Gunfire at the Moulvibazar Border

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Paris, France | 11 August 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based international human rights organization, expresses its deep concern, strong condemnation, and protest over the killing of 20-year-old Bangladeshi citizen Tara Mia, who was shot dead by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) on 9 August at the Maguruli border in Kulaura Upazila, Moulvibazar.

BANGLADESH ALERT: Mob Violence and Vandalism of Judge’s Chamber and Courtroom by Ruling-Party Activists at Chapainawabganj Court Premises

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Paris, France | 10 August 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based international human rights organization, expresses its deep concern, strong condemnation, and protest over the demonstration, alleged formation of a mob, and vandalism of the glass doors of a judge’s private chamber and courtroom by activists of the current ruling party at the Chapainawabganj District and Sessions Judge Court premises on 9 August.

JMBF Statement on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2026

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Paris, France | 9 August 2026: On the occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2026, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based international human rights organization, expresses its profound respect and solidarity with all Indigenous Peoples living in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and the plains of Bangladesh.

JMBF President Raises Bangladesh Human Rights Crisis with Enabel CEO in Brussels

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Paris, France | 8 August 2026: Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder and President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), raised concerns over the ongoing human rights crisis in Bangladesh and urged the Belgian Government and the European Union to take effective measures to ensure the protection of fundamental rights during a discussion with Mr. Jean Van Wetter, CEO of the Belgian Agency for International Cooperation (Enabel), on the sidelines of the EU-Wide Network Retreat, held in Brussels from 5–7 August 2026.

What Prevents Bangladesh’s Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from Speaking to the Media?

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Advocate Shahanur Islam

If we ask whether the change of power on 5 August 2024 brought any positive changes to media freedom and political culture in Bangladesh, the answer, in one word, is no. Rather, negative changes have been noticeable in many respects. Against this backdrop, a fundamental question has once again emerged in Bangladeshi politics: why is the current BNP-led government so concerned or uncomfortable about a former prime minister and the leader of one of the country’s largest political parties speaking to the media? Why has this discomfort resulted in an explicit prohibition on the dissemination and publication of the former prime minister’s statements, and even prompted the government to issue a statement expressing dissatisfaction and anger towards the Government of India?