Will the Yunus Government Continue Its Steamroller on Press Freedom in Bangladesh?

Advocate Shahanur Islam

Since assuming leadership of Bangladesh's interim government on August 8, 2024, Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus has faced mounting criticism over his administration’s alarming crackdown on press freedom and the broader democratic space. In what appears to be a systematic effort to silence dissent, the government has overseen the arrest of journalists, the filing of dubious legal cases, the dismissal of media professionals, and the outright targeting of press institutions. These actions raise grave concerns about the state of democracy and fundamental rights in Bangladesh.

A Systematic Crackdown on Press Freedom:  Press freedom is an essential pillar of democracy, acting as a check on government power and ensuring the free flow of information. However, under Prof. Yunus’s interim government, journalists and media outlets are facing an unprecedented assault. At least 18 journalists—including Mozammel Babu, Shamol Datto, Farzana Rupa, and Shakil Ahmed—have been arrested around the country under vague and repressive laws, highlighting a clear attempt to stifle critical voices.

Why Are Sufi Shrines and Spiritual Sites Under Attack in Bangladesh?

Advocate Shahanur Islam
In the heart of Bangladesh lies a spiritual heritage rooted in Sufi traditions that have harmonized communities for centuries. These shrines and spiritual sites, once beacons of tolerance and pluralism, are now under attack, with devastating consequences for the nation’s cultural and social fabric. Since the fall of the former government and the assumption of power by the interim government in August 2024, more than 100 shrines and spiritual sites have been attacked, vandalized, looted, and set on fire.

The rise in violence against Sufi shrines is not an isolated phenomenon but a reflection of broader ideological and political struggles. Bangladesh’s Sufi heritage, which champions inclusivity and coexistence, stands in stark contrast to the rigid ideologies of extremist groups that see such traditions as anathema. With political power in flux and ideological tensions high, these spiritual spaces have become vulnerable targets.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Extrajudicial Killings of Miraz Hossain and Md. Jummon by Joint Forces in Dhaka

Paris, France; February 21, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, vehemently condemns the extrajudicial killings of Miraz Hossain (25) and Md. Jummon (26) by joint forces, led by Bangladesh Army personnel, in the Mohammadpur area of Dhaka on the night of February 19, 2025. This horrifying incident raises serious alarm about the ongoing practice of extrajudicial killings and the disturbing disregard for human rights under the pretence of law enforcement, signifying a grave violation of fundamental human rights.

JMBF asserts that the extrajudicial killings of Miraz and Jummon flagrantly violate both Bangladesh's Constitution and international human rights law. Bangladesh is a signatory to international agreements such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention Against Torture (CAT), which explicitly prohibit arbitrary executions and the use of excessive force by authorities. These rights are non-negotiable, and the government of Bangladesh is bound by these obligations. Thus, we demand that the Bangladesh government uphold its international legal commitments and ensure a thorough investigation of these deaths in line with both national and international human rights standards.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Rising Threats and Attacks on Cultural and Artistic Freedom in Bangladesh

Paris, France; February 18, 2025 — France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns the alarming rise in censorship, intimidation, and violent obstruction of cultural events in Bangladesh under the current interim government led by Nobel Laureate for Peace, Prof. Mohammad Yunus. The recent forced cancellations of the Dhaka Metropolitan Theater Festival, Proma's Spring Recitation Festival in Chattogram, the National Spring Festival in Uttara, and the Lalon Memorial Festival in Tangail are not isolated incidents, but rather part of a troubling pattern of suppression targeting artistic expression and fundamental human rights by radical Islamic fundamentalist groups.

JMBF asserts that the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees freedom of speech, cultural diversity, and the right to peaceful assembly. However, the blatant disregard for these rights, as seen in these incidents, represents a direct attack on the nation's democratic values. The forced shutdowns of these events, often under threats of violence and pressure from extremist groups, reveal a dangerous shift toward intolerance, eroding the artistic and intellectual freedom that has long defined Bangladesh's rich cultural landscape.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Brutal Police Repression Against Peaceful Teachers’ Protest in Dhaka

February 17, 2025 | Paris, France – France based human rights organisation, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the brutal police crackdown on the peaceful protest in Dhaka by recommended government primary teachers on February 16, 2025, under the Interim Government led by former Nobel Laureate for Peace, Prof. Mohammad Yunus. The use of excessive force, including baton charges, tear gas, and water cannons, against recommended teachers of government primary schools, who were merely demanding their fundamental right to employment, is an outrageous violation of human rights and democratic principles.

JMBF asserts that state-sponsored violence against unarmed civilians, including women, is a direct attack on freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and the rule of law. JMBF condemns these actions in the strongest possible terms and demands an immediate end to the repression, accountability for those responsible, and the unconditional reinstatement of all affected teachers.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Gravely Concerned Over Mass Arrests of Opposition Political Activists in Operation Devil Hunt

Paris, France; February 15, 2025 – France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) unequivocally condemns the mass arrests of opposition political activists, particularly leaders, activists, and supporters of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated wings. These arrests carried out without legal warrants, have led to grave human rights violations under Operation Devil Hunt, which began on February 12, 2025, in Bangladesh.

This operation, conducted by a joint force comprising the Bangladesh Army, Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and even student groups allegedly involved in anti-discrimination efforts, has resulted in the arbitrary arrest of over 5,000 individuals without warrants or specific charges. Among those arrested are elderly individuals above 70 years of age, cancer patients, and women—many of whom are being targeted solely due to their political beliefs and affiliations with the Awami League and its associated organizations.

JMBF asserts that such a massive crackdown is being used as a tool to silence dissent and eliminate opposition voices. These politically motivated arrests violate fundamental human rights and undermine the principles of justice and due process.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Police Torture of Peaceful Demonstrators in Dhaka – A Call for Justice and Accountability

Paris, France | February 12, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the brutal and unjustified use of force by law enforcement authorities against peaceful demonstrators in Dhaka on February 9 and 10, 2025. The violent torture inflicted through baton charges on students of the Medical Assistant Training School (MATS) and registered teachers, including a journalist, are clear violations of fundamental human rights and democratic freedoms, as enshrined in both national and international law.

JMBF demands an independent, impartial judicial investigation into the police brutality against peaceful demonstrators. All officers responsible for the excessive use of force must be held accountable under domestic and international legal frameworks.

Press and Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arbitrary Arrests of Six Lawyers in Different Parts of Bangladesh for Opposing Political Beliefs

Paris, France; February 10, 2025 – France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns and is deeply concerned over the recent wave of politically motivated arbitrary arrests of six lawyers in different parts of Bangladesh. These include Advocate Nurul Huda, Advocate Zahir Uddin, and Advocate Javed Hossain Monowar from the Lakshmipur Bar Association on February 3, 2025, and December 14, 2024; Advocate Aman Ullah Akash, President of the Jamalpur Bar Association on February 3, 2025; Advocate Rabiul Islam Robi from the Dhaka Bar Association on December 24, 2024; and Advocate Momtaz Uddin Mehdi, former Deputy Attorney General and Supreme Court Bar General Secretary on November 10, 2024. These arbitrary arrests represent a clear violation of fundamental rights and a direct attack on the independence of the legal profession, setting a dangerous precedent for the rule of law in Bangladesh.

JMBF asserts that the arrest and detention of these six lawyers have been carried out without due process, solely based on their professional and political engagements. Most of them have been implicated in cases where they were neither directly named in the First Information Report (FIR) nor had any evidence presented against them but were instead included in lists of unidentified suspects. In some cases, bail petitions were rejected outright, and they were sent to jail without any credible legal justification, reflecting an alarming pattern of judicial suppression aimed at silencing dissenting voices.

PRESS & PUBLIC STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Destruction of the Historical Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka

(বাংলায় বিবৃতিটি পড়তে, অনুগ্রহপূর্বক ইংরেজি ভার্ষণের শেষে দেখুন) Paris, France; February 08, 2025: The France-based human rights organization Justicemakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) unequivocally condemns the vicious spree of looting, arson, and vandalism that has targeted Bangladesh’s national heritage—specifically the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhanmondi, Dhaka—and the democratic institutions, homes, and business establishments of members of the Bangladesh Awami League across several parts of the country between February 05 and 07, 2025. These acts were perpetrated by a faction masquerading as the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement—a movement exploited by the current interim government led by former Nobel laureate for peace, Professor Mohammad Yunus—which constitutes a gross violation of human rights as established under international standards.

JMBF asserts that the deliberate attack on the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum, along with the targeted assaults on the residences and business establishments of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other prominent leaders of the Bangladesh Awami League, represents not only a disgraceful act of lawlessness and a direct affront to our nation’s values but also a blatant violation of the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Heinous Murder of Transgender Activist Shila in Rangamati: Calls for Immediate Justice and Legal Reforms

(বাংলায় বিবৃতিটি পড়তে, অনুগ্রহপূর্বক ইংরেজি ভার্ষণের শেষে দেখুন) Paris, France | February 06, 2025: France-based hulan rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is deeply concerned and outraged by the barbaric and targeted murder of transgender activist Shila, who was brutally killed in her home in Betbunia, Rangamati district, on February 3, 2025. Shila was a courageous advocate for transgender rights, a champion of social justice, and a beacon of hope for marginalized transgender communities in Bangladesh. Her horrific murder—marked by extreme violence and a clear intent to silence her voice—is a gross violation of human rights and demands immediate and uncompromising action.

JMBF unequivocally condemns this cowardly and premeditated act of terror, which not only took the life of a fearless activist but also sent a chilling message to the entire transgender and LGBT+ community. This crime underscores the deep-rooted discrimination, systemic violence, and impunity that sexual minorities continue to face in Bangladesh due to social stigma, legal barriers, and state negligence.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Communal Violence in Bangladesh and Protests Against Government Denial

Paris, France: February 5, 2025: The France-based legal and human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns the alarming rise in communal violence targeting religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh between August 21, 2024, and December 31, 2024. According to credible reports from the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, 174 incidents of violence occurred during this period, resulting in the tragic deaths of 23 individuals from minority communities. These atrocities included 9 horrific cases of torture, rape, and gang rape of women, attacks on 64 places of worship, the destruction and looting of 38 homes and businesses, and the forcible occupation of 25 properties. Additionally, 15 individuals were arrested and tortured on baseless allegations of insulting religion.

JMBF asserts that such systematic violence against minority communities is a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and an assault on the principles of justice, equality, and religious freedom. It is deeply disturbing that, instead of addressing these grave issues, the interim government of Bangladesh, through the Chief Advisor's Press Wing, has chosen to deny and dismiss these incidents as mere political propaganda.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Recent Islamic Fundamentalist Group Attacks on Women's Football Matches in Joypurhat and Dinajpur

Paris, France; February 3, 2025: The France-based legal and human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), unequivocally condemns the recent attacks and acts of vandalism perpetrated by Islamic fundamentalist groups under the banner of Touhidi Janata against women's football matches in Joypurhat and Dinajpur on January 28, 2025. These violent actions not only threaten the safety and freedom of female footballers but also undermine the fundamental rights of women to participate in sports and public life in Bangladesh. This is a gross violation of human rights and the fundamental principles of the Constitution of Bangladesh.

JMBF urges the interim government of Bangladesh, led by former Nobel laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, to investigate the incident through a judicial committee headed by a justice from the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. We call for the immediate arrest of the alleged perpetrators and demand exemplary punishment through a transparent tribunal. Additionally, we urge the government to provide adequate financial compensation to the organizers without delay.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Extrajudicial Killing of Md. Touhidul Islam Due to Inhumane Torture by Joint Forces in Kumilla

Paris, France; February 1, 2025: France-based legal and human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses its deepest outrage and condemnation over the alleged extrajudicial killing of Md. Touhidul Islam, a 40-year-old leader of the Jubo Dal, reportedly died due to inhumane torture inflicted by joint forces led by the Bangladesh Army on January 31, 2025, in Cumilla.

This heinous act of extrajudicial killing represents a gross violation of human rights as declared by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh, national laws, and international human rights instruments to which Bangladesh is a party.

JMBF demands an immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation into the circumstances leading to the death of Md. Touhidul Islam. This investigation must be conducted by a justice of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, not under military jurisdiction, to ensure credibility and justice.