JMBF Quarterly eNewsletter (Oct-Dec 2024): Happy New Year 2025!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

As the year ends and we prepare to welcome 2025, I am filled with gratitude for the progress and milestones we have achieved together at JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). In this final quarterly issue of 2024, spanning October to December, we reflect on our journey toward fostering justice and driving meaningful change in our communities. 

Read the full newsletter online or download it in PDF format by visiting the following link:https://www.scribd.com/document/810181965/JMBF-Quarterly-eNewsletter-December-2024

Throughout this period, JMBF has worked tirelessly to promote fairness, equality, and dignity for all. From impactful initiatives to advocating for marginalized voices, every effort is driven by our unwavering belief that justice is not just an ideal—it is a right for everyone.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Grave Concern Over Harassment and Abuse of Minority Communities in Chittagong

Paris, France; December 30, 2024:  France-based human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over the widespread harassment, extortion, and abuse of power targeting vulnerable Hindu religious and Dalit minority communities in Chittagong. These actions, perpetrated by law enforcement under the guise of investigating the tragic murder of lawyer Saiful Islam (Alif) at the Chittagong court premises, reveal a lack of impartiality and fairness in the investigative process.  

JMBF strongly urges the government to ensure the safety, dignity, and protection of marginalized groups, including the Harijan community. The incidents of vandalism, harassment, and communal violence following the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam must be thoroughly investigated, and the perpetrators must be held accountable without delay.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Unjust Dismissal of Five Journalists from Somoy TV under Alleged Pressure by Leader of Anti-Discrimination Student Movement

Paris, France; December 28, 2024: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the reported dismissal of five journalists from Somoy TV on December 22, 2024, following alleged undue pressure exerted by Hasnat Abdullah, a prominent figure in the anti-discrimination student movement, on December 17, 2024.The dismissed journalists include Chief Input Editor Omar Faruk, Chief Output Editor Ariful Sajjad, Digital Head Kamal Shahriar, Associate Special Reporter Debashish Roy, and Senior Reporter Bulbul Reza.

Simultaneously, JMBF condemns the recent attacks on Daily Prothom Alo, Daily Star, and the banning of journalists from entering the Bangladesh Secretariat by canceling their press accreditation cards.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arbitrary Arrest of Lawyer Syed Kabir Hossain Jony in Jessore

Paris, France; December 23, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a prominent France-based human rights organization, strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of lawyer Syed Kabir Hossain Jony, a member of the Jashore District Bar Association, by Jashore police on December 22, 2024, for merely performing his professional duty.

This deeply troubling action, taken shortly after Mr. Jony represented 167 Awami League leaders and activists in court, constitutes a grave violation of human rights and undermines national and international principles safeguarding the independence of lawyers and the judiciary.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France urges the Government of Bangladesh to immediately and unconditionally release Syed Kabir Hossain Jony and drop all charges against him that criminalize his professional duties as a lawyer, as well as ensure the protection of all legal professionals from harassment and intimidation.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Brutal Killings of Three Bangladeshi Youths by the BSF at Jessore

Paris, France; December 20, 2024: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns the barbaric killing of three Bangladeshi youths –Md. Jahangir, Shahabor Ali, and Sakibur Rahman – who suffered sharp weapon injuries and beatings at the Panchbhulot border in Sharsha upazila, Jessore, on December 18, 2024. This inhumane act, allegedly perpetrated by members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), constitutes a grave violation of domestic laws, international treaties, and fundamental human rights principles.

JMBF urges the Government of India to immediately cease such provocative and intrusive behavior and demands that the Government of Bangladesh take effective steps to stop the killing of Bangladeshi citizens by the Indian BSF.

STATEMENT: JMBF Gravely Concerned Over Recent Death of Three Individuals Due to Torture by Law Enforcement Agencies

Paris, France; December 16, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the heinous and unlawful acts of torture and killing carried out by law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh, which have resulted in the tragic deaths of three individuals: Rafiqul Islam Dudu, Hazrat Ali, and Atiq Hasan Sardar on December 13, 06, and 03, 2024, respectively. These incidents, which occurred in the first half of December 2024, highlight a disturbing pattern of police, army, and joint force brutality and blatant violations of both national and international human rights standards.

JMBF is horrified by the alleged gross human rights violations committed by law enforcement officers, who are entrusted with the duty of protecting citizens, not causing harm under the present interim government led by Nobel laureate for peace, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus. These individuals were subjected to extreme torture and inhumane treatment, leading to their deaths under suspicious circumstances.

Human Rights Day 2024: JMBF Founder Highlights Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh at Paris Event

Paris, December 12, 2024 – In celebration of Human Rights Day 2024, Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder and President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), participated in a high-profile event at the Hôtel du Ministre, Quai d'Orsay, Paris, on December 10, 2024. Organized by the Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs, the event convened prominent human rights advocates, government officials, and international representatives to address global human rights challenges.

The event opened with remarks by Isabelle Rome, French Ambassador for Human Rights and former Minister for Equity, and Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, setting the stage for a series of engaging discussions moderated by Frédéric Jung, Deputy Director of the United Nations, International Organizations, Human Rights, and La Francophonie.

STATEMENT: JMBF Statement on World Human Rights Day 2024

Paris, France; December 10, 2024: On the occasion of World Human Rights Day 2024, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) joins the global community in reaffirming its commitment to the advancement of human rights and equality. This year’s theme,Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now” serves as a timely reminder of the work still to be done in Bangladesh to create a society free of oppression and injustice. This day is not just a celebration of universal human rights, but also a call to action to address inequality, uphold dignity, and foster justice for every citizen of Bangladesh.

STATEMENT: JMBF Calls on EU Ambassadors to Raise Concerns About Gross Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh Under the Present Interim Government During Meeting with the Chief Adviser

Paris, France; December 8, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France base human rights organisation urgently appeals to Ambassadors from all European Union (EU) countries to collectively address the ongoing and egregious human rights violations in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. These violations have intensified following the mass uprisings of August 5, 2024, which led to the collapse of the Bangladesh Awami League-led government. The upcoming meeting between EU heads of mission and the Chief Adviser on December 9, 2024, offers a crucial opportunity for the international community to stand for justice, human rights, and the rule of law in Bangladesh.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Killing of Bangladeshi Citizen by BSF at Panchagarh: Calls for Justice and Adherence to International Human Rights Standards

Paris, France; December 6, 2024: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns and protests the extrajudicial killing of Anwar Hossain, a 35-year-old Bangladeshi citizen, by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in the early hours of December 6, 2024, at the Mominpara border in Panchagarh Sadar Upazila, Panchagarh. This tragic incident, where an unarmed Bangladeshi citizen was fatally shot, constitutes a blatant violation of national sovereignty, international human rights law, and the principles of humanity.

JMBF President Attends View Exchange Meeting with French Human Rights Ambassador

On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the President of JMBF attended a significant View Exchange meeting hosted by Mrs. Isabelle Rome, the French Ambassador for Human Rights and responsible for the duty of remembrance concerning the international dimension of the Shoah and spoliations. The event took place at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and gathered former laureates of the prestigious Marianne Initiative.

The meeting offered a platform for in-depth discussions on human rights issues, with a special focus on the role of remembrance in fostering understanding of the Shoah and its lasting impact. Mrs. Rome, known for her advocacy in international human rights, led the conversation, providing insight into France's efforts to preserve the memory of historical injustices and promote human dignity.