Paris, France; January 30, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the recent violent and unlawful actions that have taken place in the relation of District Advocate Bar Association Executive Body Elections, held on January 30, 2025, across various regions of Bangladesh, including Naogaon, Sirajganj, and Rajbari.
The incidents on January 25 & 24, 2025, in Naogaon, January 16, 2025, in Sirajganj, and January 29, 2025, in Rajbari, where members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and political figures affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Amar Bangla (AB) Party forced the withdrawal of independent and Coordinated Lawyer Council candidates backed by the Bangladesh Awami League for the District Advocate Bar Association Executive Body Election 2025 through physical assault, harassment, coercion, threats of violence, and intimidation, represent a gross violation of human rights. These actions are a direct attack on the very principles of justice, rule of law, and democracy.
JMBF calls on the Bangladesh Government to take immediate and decisive action to hold the perpetrators accountable, cancel these one-sided elections, and reschedule the date for the District Advocate Bar Association Election. Additionally, JMBF demands that the government ensure the safety of all candidates and lawyers involved in these elections and guarantee that these violent acts never again threaten the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh.
Incident 1:
On January 25, 2025, in the afternoon, several members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, along with lawyers from the Amar Bangla (AB) Party and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Naogaon unit, forcefully compelled the withdrawal of the nomination papers of all independent candidates backed by the Bangladesh Awami League for the District Advocate Bar Association, Naogaon, Executive Body Election 2025, scheduled for January 30, 2025. Members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and leaders of the AB Party and BNP issued direct life threats to all independent candidates at the District Advocate Bar Association Building in Naogaon. They warned the candidates to withdraw their nominations or face physical assault, murder, and arson at their homes. Additionally, they coerced the election commissioner into withdrawing the nominations.
Earlier, on January 24, 2025, several members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, along with lawyer leaders from the AB Party and BNP, issued similar threats to all independent candidates on the court premises, warning that failure to withdraw their nominations would result in severe suffering for them and their families.
Approximately ten days prior, two banners were hung in front of the District Advocate Bar Association Building by lawyers from the BNP and members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement. These banners contained messages threatening lawyers associated with the Awami League, labeling them as collaborators of "Awami fascism" and warning them not to contest the District Advocate Bar Association Election 2025.
Incident 2:
On January 16, 2025, in the morning, several members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, along with lawyers from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Sirajganj unit, forcefully compelled the withdrawal of the nomination papers of all candidates from the Coordinated Lawyer Council, Sirajganj unit, backed by the Bangladesh Awami League, for the District Advocate Bar Association, Sirajganj, Executive Body Election 2025, scheduled for January 30, 2025.
Members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and leaders of the BNP physically assaulted and harassed the presidential candidate from the Coordinated Lawyer Council, Sirajganj unit, Advocate Golam Haider, and issued direct life threats to all candidates from the Coordinated Lawyer Council, Sirajganj. This incident occurred on the District and Sessions Judge Court premises in Sirajganj. The attackers warned the candidates to withdraw their nominations or face physical assault, murder, and arson at their homes. Additionally, the police created a fear-inducing atmosphere, further pressuring candidates to withdraw their nominations.
Earlier, one senior advocate from the same Bar Association, Advocate Abdur Rahman, a former Public Prosecutor (PP), was severely assaulted and arrested. Another senior lawyer, Advocate Rakhal, a former Government Pleader (GP), was sent to jail custody after surrendering to the concerned court in Sirajganj on charges of murder during the July mass uprising.
Incident 3:
On January 29, 2025, several members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, along with lawyers from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Rajbari unit, issued threats to force the withdrawal of the nomination papers of all candidates backed by the Bangladesh Awami League for the District Advocate Bar Association, Rajbari, Executive Body Election 2025, scheduled for January 30, 2025. Members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and lawyer leaders of the BNP issued direct life threats to all candidates backed by the Bangladesh Awami League at the District and Sessions Judge Court premises in Rajbari. They warned the candidates to withdraw their nominations or face physical assault, murder, and arson at their homes. Additionally, they coerced the election commissioner into withdrawing the nominations.
Rober SIMON, a prominent human rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF, rightfully stated, "These heinous acts are an assault on the rule of law and the democratic fabric of Bangladesh. They must be condemned in the strongest terms, and those responsible must face justice. The international community must stand in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh in defending their constitutional rights."
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Bangladeshi human rights lawyer, and Founder President of JMBF, emphasized, "The protection of lawyers and candidates supported by the Bangladesh Awami League is essential to uphold the integrity of the judicial process and the protection of human rights. No individual should be subjected to threats or violence for fulfilling their role in society."
JMBF asserts that these violent actions not only violate the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Bangladesh but also undermine the rule of law, which is a cornerstone of a just and democratic society. The Bangladesh Constitution provides explicit protections for citizens' rights to association, and participation in free and fair elections, including the right to stand for office, and freely express political beliefs without fear of retaliation. Article 27 guarantees equality before the law, Article 39 ensures freedom of thought, conscience, and speech, and Article 40 guarantees freedom of profession or occupation.
Furthermore, the use of threats, violence, and coercion to interfere with the professional process contradicts national law and international human rights standards. The Bangladesh Penal Code criminalizes acts of violence and intimidation. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Bangladesh is a signatory, mandates the protection of the right to participate in public affairs, including the right to run for office and vote. Article 25 of the ICCPR safeguards these democratic rights, prohibiting any form of coercion or threats that would prevent individuals from freely participating in the electoral process.
Moreover, these actions also violate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), particularly Article 21, which guarantees the right of every citizen to take part in the government of their country, directly or through freely chosen representatives. The UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, adopted by the General Assembly, affirms the right of lawyers to perform their professional duties without fear of threats, intimidation, or violence, and highlights the need to protect lawyers in the discharge of their duties as essential to the rule of law and the protection of human rights.
JMBF finds it especially disturbing that such unlawful actions were carried out in full view of the judicial premises, including at the District and Sessions Judge Court premises, which should be a symbol of impartiality and justice. These acts of violence not only violate the integrity of the election process but also intimidate the very lawyers who serve as guardians of justice. The targeting of Advocates, including Advocate Golam Haider and others, is an attack on the legal profession and the independence of the judiciary.
JMBF urgently calls on the international community, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Lawyers and Judges, the European Union, intergovernmental organizations, and international NGOs to closely monitor the situation, exert pressure on the Bangladeshi authorities to hold the perpetrators accountable and support the protection of the rights of all lawyers, candidates, and individuals involved. We urge these bodies to advocate for a fair and just resolution and take action to prevent further violations of human rights in Bangladesh.
JMBF stands united with the people of Bangladesh and urges the authorities to take immediate action to restore peace, protect fundamental rights, and uphold the principles of democracy, justice, and human dignity.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for the protection of all individuals who seek to exercise their democratic rights peacefully and lawfully.
Thank you.
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