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.
Robert Simon, French human rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF, stated, "The protection of minorities and vulnerable groups is a litmus test for any society that claims to uphold the principles of justice and democracy. We urge the Bangladeshi authorities to act with integrity and ensure justice for all, without discrimination or bias."
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and Founder President of JMBF, remarked, "The ongoing harassment of minority communities and misuse of the legal system are stark violations of human rights. This is a call to action for the government and law enforcement to restore faith in justice by holding the actual perpetrators accountable and ending systemic abuse."
JMBF urges immediate steps to ensure a thorough investigation into the murder of Saiful Islam to identify and prosecute the actual perpetrators without targeting innocent individuals.
In addition, JMBF calls for an end to the practice of filing cases against thousands of “unknown” individuals. Law enforcement agencies must prioritize fair investigations over mass accusations that lead to abuse and exploitation.
Furthermore, JMBF emphasizes the need for an independent investigation into police threats and coercion against vulnerable communities. Officials found to be engaging in such practices must be held accountable.
JMBF also stresses the importance of respecting legal professionals by ensuring the rights of lawyers to practice their profession without obstruction. Cases against lawyers must be scrutinized to prevent misuse of the legal system as a tool of harassment.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) firmly believes that justice, fairness, and the rule of law are essential for ensuring peace and stability in Chittagong and across Bangladesh. Failure to address these urgent issues will deepen public mistrust, perpetuate injustice, and harm the reputation of the nation.
We urge the government, judiciary, and law enforcement agencies to act decisively to protect vulnerable communities, restore public confidence, and uphold the principles of justice and equality.
Thank you
Mosa. Jannatul Ferdaus
Chief Coordinator & Member of the Executive Committee
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
107 Rue Gallieni, 93000 Bobigny, France
Email: jannatul.ferdaus@jmbf.org
Website: www.jmbf.org
Fact in Brief:
According to information revealed by the Democratic Rights Committee during a press conference titled "On-site Inspection of the Situation After the Murder of Lawyer Alif in Chittagong: Observations and Proposals", held at the National Press Club on the morning of December 29, 2024, the Democratic Rights Committee believes that the investigation into the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam (Alif) on the Chittagong court premises is not being conducted properly. The organization states that the interests of the arrest-business and profiteers exploiting communal incitement are working in parallel around this murder case.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested in Dhaka on November 25. The next day, when he was presented at the Chittagong court, a conflict situation arose, and lawyer Saiful Islam was killed.
A delegation of the Democratic Rights Committee visited Chittagong on December 23 to observe the situation on the spot. Based on their observations, the Democratic Rights Committee presented their findings and proposals.
At the press conference, the Democratic Rights Committee reported that six cases have been filed so far regarding the murder and clashes involving lawyer Saiful. In these cases, 390 people have been named, and more than 2,400 individuals have been listed as unknown accused. Allegations of arrest-and-trafficking have surfaced due to the inclusion of about 2,500 unknown accused.
Ten people from Harijan Colony have been arrested, and the condition of their wives and children is deplorable. The Democratic Rights Committee also mentioned that most of the men, except those who work, have fled their homes.
At the press conference, Anu Muhammad, a member of the Democratic Rights Committee, noted that anyone could be among the unknown accused, leading to widespread harassment. The arrest-and-trafficking by the police, along with exploitation by powerful individuals, has created opportunities for harassment, threats, and extortion. He further remarked that this issue mirrors practices by the previous government.
Anu Muhammad also highlighted another significant concern—the communal aspect of the issue—which the committee finds deeply troubling. He pointed to activities by those who engage in divisive politics in the name of religion, stating that they are actively carrying out provocative actions.
Anu Muhammad explained that the interests of the arrest-business and those of groups profiting from communal hatred have converged, creating a precarious situation in Chittagong. He added that this is increasing uncertainty, with the potential for further problems, which could tarnish the image of Bangladesh as a whole.
At the press conference, the Democratic Rights Committee revealed that on the day of lawyer Saiful’s murder, two temples and eight houses in Harijan Colony were vandalized. Two days later, on November 29, after Friday prayers, a group of miscreants vandalized and looted Harijan Colony. This incident did not appear in any media reports, and no cases have been filed regarding the vandalism of Harijan temples and houses.
Samina Lutfa, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology at Dhaka University, stated, “Even after five months of the mass uprising, people of a community are being marginalized in this manner simply because of their religious identity and the tendency to use religion as a tool for communal politics. There has been no response from the government on this issue. As citizens, we are compelled to worry about the place of people in what is unfolding in the name of July aspirations.”
In a written statement at the press conference, lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua said, “We are surprised that the case filing and investigation process were not conducted properly. After observing the mass indictments in the cases and the methods used in the investigation, we did not feel that the various departments involved were sincere about ensuring a proper trial of this murder.”
The committee also disclosed that, after returning to Dhaka from their visit to Chittagong, a Sub-Inspector (SI) from the local police station went to Sevakpalli and threatened the Harijans, stating that if they identified the real criminals, he would arrange for the release of the 10 individuals who were arrested. Even ordinary Hindus, they said, are living in fear of arrest.
The Democratic Rights Committee pointed out that identifying Saiful’s killers is not an impossible task. They noted that 20 to 25 CCTV cameras are located along the road leading to the court and at the scene of the incident, including 3 to 4 cameras positioned directly next to the location. These cameras could provide clear evidence to identify the perpetrators. However, there has been no discussion regarding this footage.
At the press conference, it was also revealed that cases have been filed against 70 lawyers from the Chittagong Bar, many of whom were directly involved in the July coup. One of them has already been arrested. The committee emphasized that lawyers have the right to practice their profession, yet lawyers in Chittagong are being obstructed from continuing their professional duties.
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JMBF is an independent non-profit, nonpartisan human rights organization registered in France with registration number W931027714 under the association law of 1901, dedicated to defending human rights, fighting for justice, and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond.
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