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.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and Founder President of JMBF stated, "The death of Md. Touhidul Islam is not just an isolated incident; it reflects a continuous, disturbing pattern of abuse of power and disregard for human rights in Bangladesh by the current interim government led by former Nobel Laureate for Peace, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, which must be stopped immediately."
Robert Simon, prominent French human rights activist, and Chief Adviser of JMBF added, "The tragic death of Md. Touhidul Islam underlines the urgent need for accountability and transparency in Bangladesh. Such blatant violations of human dignity and human rights cannot be tolerated by the international community. We stand in solidarity with the victim’s family and demand justice without delay."
Fact in Brief (According to information received from JMBF reliable sources and news published in several news media outlets in Bangladesh):
On January 31, 2025, Md. Touhidul Islam (40), a leader of the Jubo Dal, allegedly died due to inhumane torture by joint forces led by the army. Doctors and relatives confirmed that his body bore marks of severe torture. Before this, on the late night of January 30, joint forces led by the army detained him from his home.
Touhidul Islam was the convener of the Jubo Dal in Panchthubi Union under Comilla Adarsha Sadar Upazila and a resident of Italla village in the same union. He worked for a shipping agent at Chittagong Port. According to his family, he returned home on January 26 after receiving news of his father Mokhlesur Rahman's death. He is survived by his wife and four daughters.
Additional Superintendent of Police (Sadar Circle) Mohammad Saiful Malik stated that the army had informed the police around 11 a.m. on January 31 to take custody of Touhidul Islam. When handed over, he was unconscious and later declared dead at the hospital. Malik added that it was unclear why he was detained or how he died pending further investigation. Preliminary inquiries revealed no existing case against Touhidul.
Describing the incident, Touhidul's brother, Sadekur Rahman, said that the family was preparing for their father's ritual on the night of January 30 when army personnel arrived around 2:30 a.m. Although no uniformed police officers were present, five plainclothes individuals accompanied the soldiers. They detained Touhidul, seized the family members' phones, and conducted an extensive search without finding anything. Despite inquiries, they provided no reason for the arrest.
The next morning, the army returned to search the house again, finding nothing. Sadekur noted that Touhidul appeared lifeless in their vehicle but was not brought out. By 11:45 a.m. on Friday, the police called them via a third party, asking them to rush to Comilla Medical College Hospital, where they found Touhidul dead. His body showed signs of brutal torture, including severe bruises from the waist down and injuries on the chest, back, legs, neck, and other areas.
Sadekur claimed that Touhidul had no cases or even a general diary filed against him. He suggested that a land dispute with a neighboring family might have led to false accusations against Touhidul, possibly alleging possession of arms, resulting in his arrest, torture, and death.
Touhidul's wife, Yasmin Nahar, expressed her grief, questioning how she would survive with her four young daughters. She demanded a thorough investigation and justice, emphasizing that her husband had committed no crime.
Farid Uddin, Member Secretary of Comilla South District Jubo Dal, confirmed that Touhidul had been serving as the convener of Panchthubi Union Jubo Dal since October 26, 2023. Touhidul had no prior allegations against him. He stated that Jubo Dal leaders rushed to the hospital upon hearing the news and learned that Touhidul had been subjected not only to beatings but also to electric shocks.
Morshed Alam, Sub-Inspector of Kotwali Model Police Station, who took Touhidul to the hospital, reported that around 11:30 a.m., the duty officer instructed him to proceed to the Gomti River embankment road in Jhankunipara at the request of the joint forces. The joint forces handed over Touhidul, whose condition was critical. Despite requests, the joint forces refused to accompany them to the hospital. Upon arrival, doctors declared him dead.
Dr. Tanvir Ahmed from Comilla Medical College Hospital's emergency department confirmed that Touhidul had already died before being brought to the hospital, with visible injury marks on his body.
In response, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement labeling the incident as unexpected and tragic. The camp commander was immediately withdrawn, and a high-level investigation committee was formed to determine the cause of death. ISPR assured that those found guilty would face appropriate legal action under military law.
Legal and Human Rights Analysis:
- Violation of Constitutional Rights: Article 32 of the Constitution of Bangladesh unequivocally guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, stating, "No person shall be deprived of life or personal liberty save under law." Additionally, Article 35 prohibits torture, cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. The brutal torture and subsequent death of Md. Touhidul Islam under military custody constitutes a direct assault on these constitutional protections.
- Breach of National Laws: The Bangladesh Penal Code (1860) criminalizes acts of torture, unlawful detention, and custodial death. Furthermore, the Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act, 2013, explicitly criminalizes torture and mandates stringent legal consequences for those responsible. The actions leading to Touhidul Islam’s death blatantly violate these laws, demanding immediate legal proceedings against all individuals and authorities involved.
- Contravention of International Human Rights Obligations: Bangladesh is a signatory to several key international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT). Article 7 of the ICCPR states, "No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment." The events surrounding Touhidul Islam’s death represent a flagrant breach of these international commitments.
Demands of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF):
- Independent Investigation: 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.
- Accountability and Legal Action: All individuals involved, regardless of rank or position, must be held accountable. This includes prosecution under both national laws and international legal frameworks to ensure justice for the victim and his family.
- Physical, Psychological, and Financial Support: The government must ensure the safety and security of Touhidul Islam’s family, particularly his wife and four daughters, who are now vulnerable and at risk of intimidation. Additionally, adequate psychological support and financial compensation must be provided to the victim’s family.
- Reform of Security Practices: JMBF calls for immediate reforms within the security forces to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. This includes mandatory human rights training, strict adherence to legal protocols during arrests, and the prohibition of military involvement in civilian law enforcement without judicial oversight.
- International Oversight: Given the severity of this case, JMBF urges the involvement of international human rights organizations, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, to monitor the investigation and ensure compliance with global human rights standards.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) stands in solidarity with the victim's family and all those who fight for justice and accountability. JMBF demands that the Government of Bangladesh uphold its constitutional and international obligations, ensuring that justice is not delayed or denied.
Justice delayed is justice denied. We demand justice now.
Thank you,
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