Sunday, January 19, 2025

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Vehemently Condemns Violent Attacks on Indigenous Student Protesters and Police Repression in Dhaka

Paris, France; January 19, 2025 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound concern and unequivocal condemnation of the recent violent attacks on Indigenous students and their supporters during a peaceful gathering on January 15, 2025, in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) office in Motijheel, Dhaka. The attack carried out in response to their protest against the removal of graffiti featuring the word "Indigenous" from school textbooks, is a clear violation of human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

JMBF also strongly condemns the subsequent police crackdown on a peaceful rally organized by the "Discontented Indigenous Students" on January 16, 2025, to besiege the Secretariat in Dhaka. These actions represent egregious violations of human rights, freedom of assembly, and the right to peaceful protest, all of which are protected under both national and international law.

On January 15, 2025, Indigenous students and their supporters gathered peacefully in front of the NCTB office to protest the removal of graffiti that included the word "Indigenous" from school textbooks. Despite their nonviolent approach, they were attacked by members of a group named "Students for Sovereignty." This unprovoked violence left at least 10 students injured, many of whom required hospitalization at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Alarmingly, law enforcement authorities present at the scene failed to intervene and protect the victims.

The following day, on January 16, 2025, police forces escalated the situation by using excessive force against peaceful protesters. The rally, organized to demand justice for the attack, sought to peacefully besiege the Secretariat. Instead, police responded with water cannons, batons, tear gas, and sound grenades, injuring numerous participants and violating their constitutional and international rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression.

Robert Simon, a prominent French human rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF stated, "The attacks on Indigenous students and the subsequent police brutality are glaring violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), to which Bangladesh is a signatory. Articles 19 and 20 of the UDHR explicitly protect the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, and peaceful assembly. These actions also contravene the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), particularly Articles 19 and 21, which uphold these fundamental freedoms."

Advocate Shahanur Islam, a distinguished Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and Founder President of JMBF emphasized, "The violent suppression of peaceful protesters not only breaches Bangladesh’s constitutional guarantees but also undermines its obligations under international law. Article 37 of the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, while Article 31 ensures equal protection under the law. The government's failure to protect Indigenous students and its use of excessive force against protesters reflect a disturbing disregard for these constitutional protections."

Call to Action

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) urgently calls on the Government of Bangladesh to:

  1. Conduct an Independent Investigation: Launch a transparent and impartial investigation into the attack on Indigenous students and the subsequent police crackdown to ensure accountability for the perpetrators and those who failed to protect the victims.
  2. Ensure Protection for Indigenous Communities: Strengthen protections for Indigenous people by granting constitutional recognition and enacting the Indigenous Peoples Protection Act to safeguard their voices and uphold their rights.
  3. Uphold International Commitments: Align national practices with Bangladesh’s obligations under the UDHR, ICCPR, and ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous  Peoples.
  4. Promote Democratic Freedoms: Guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and protection from violence for all citizens, particularly marginalized and vulnerable groups.

Conclusion

These incidents are a stark reminder of the systemic challenges faced by Indigenous communities in Bangladesh and the pressing need for justice and accountability. JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for the protection of human rights and the preservation of democratic values in Bangladesh and beyond.

Thank you.









Mosa. Jannatul Ferdaus
Chief Coordinator & Member of the Executive Committee
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
107 Rue Gallieni, 93000 Bobigny, France
Website: www.jmbf.org

Fact in Brief:

i) Attack on Indigenous Students at NCTB Protest, Leading to 10 Indigenous Students and Their Supporters Being Injured

On January 15, 2025, in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) in Motijheel, Dhaka, at least 10 Indigenous students and their supporters were injured during a scheduled protest program following an attack by members of a group named "Students for Sovereignty." The injured were admitted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

The Indigenous students had gathered at the NCTB premises on January 15, 2025, as part of their scheduled program to protest the removal of graffiti containing the word "Indigenous" from textbooks.

Eyewitnesses reported that by 12 PM, before the Indigenous students reached the NCTB building, members of "Students for Sovereignty" had already taken position there, holding cricket stumps wrapped with the national flag. Tensions arose between the two groups, leading to a scuffle. Police intervened to separate the groups and positioned themselves between them. However, shortly afterward, members of "Students for Sovereignty" attacked the Indigenous students, leaving more than a dozen people injured. Among them, at least 10 were taken to DMCH for treatment.

The injured included Rupaiya Srestha Tanchangya (24), Isaba Shuharat (25), Rengiyang Mro (27), Futanto Chakma (22), Dhanjetra (28), Antat Dhamai (35), Shailee (27), Donayi Mro (24), Tanichiran (30), and Jewel Marak (35), a journalist from DBC TV.

A key organizer of the "Discontented Indigenous Students" group, Alik Mree, stated, "We were marching peacefully toward the NCTB building to protest the removal of graffiti containing the word 'Indigenous' from textbooks. When our procession reached Motijheel, a group of youths armed with cricket stumps wrapped in the national flag attacked us in front of the police. Eleven of our fellow Indigenous students were injured in the attack, including several women."

It is worth noting that the controversy began over the inclusion of graffiti featuring the word "Indigenous" on the back cover of the "Bangla Bhashar Byakaran O Nirmiti" (Bangla Grammar and Composition) textbook for grades nine and ten. Protests demanding its removal were initiated by the group "Students for Sovereignty." Following these protests, the government decided to remove the graffiti and updated the PDF version of the textbook with a new design.

ii) Police Use Batons, Water Cannons, Tear Gas, and Sound Grenades at Protest Against Attack on Indigenous Students

On January 16, 2025, police baton-charged a protest rally organized in response to the attack on the "Discontented Indigenous Students" that took place in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) office in Dhaka on January 15, 2025.

The "Discontented Students" had announced a plan to besiege the Secretariat on Thursday, January 16. The protesters started their rally from the Dhaka University area and marched toward the Secretariat. However, police blocked them with barricades near the Shiksha Bhaban (Education Building). A scuffle broke out between the two sides, leading to police using tear gas, sound grenades, and batons to disperse the protesters.

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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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