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.
Fact in Brief (According to information received from JMBF's reliable sources and reports published in several news media outlets in Bangladesh):
Incident 01: On the afternoon of Sunday, February 9, in the capital Dhaka, 20 students of the Medical Assistant Training School (MATS), along with a journalist, were injured due to police baton charges. The police used batons on the MATS students during their peaceful demonstration and long march towards the Secretariat to press for their four-point demands. Around 5:15 PM, the injured students were admitted to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
Earlier, at around 4:15 PM, the MATS students began their long march from the Shahbagh intersection towards the Secretariat. When the police attempted to obstruct them, a scuffle broke out between the two sides. Eventually, breaking through the police barricade, the students continued their march.
Incident 02: On Monday, February 10, around 4:00 PM, four teachers were injured due to a police baton charge at the Shahbagh intersection in the capital. The injured were later taken to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The injured individuals are Primary Teacher Nazmun Nahar Kona (27), Registered Teacher Riaz Uddin (42), Seema Akter (23), and Tanzila Akter (23).
Primary teacher Suraiya, who brought Nazmun Nahar Kona to the hospital, stated, “The High Court initially confirmed our appointment as primary teachers but later canceled it. While protesting against this cancellation at Shahbagh, the police baton-charged and fired tear gas shells at us, injuring many.”
Registered teacher Riaz Uddin said, “Despite passing the registration exam, we have not yet been appointed to any school. While protesting at Shahbagh for our recruitment, the police baton-charged us, and I got injured.”
Legal Analysis:
JMBF asserts that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) guarantees the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression (Articles 19 & 20). The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), ratified by Bangladesh, further reinforces these rights under Articles 19, 21, and 22. The disproportionate use of force against peaceful demonstrators directly contravenes these international obligations and exposes the deteriorating state of civil liberties in Bangladesh.
Moreover, under Article 5 of the UDHR, no one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment—a provision that is directly violated by the police's use of torture tactics such as baton charges against peaceful protesters. These actions also contravene Bangladesh’s obligations under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman, or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), to which it is a signatory.
Additionally, Article 37 of the Constitution of Bangladesh explicitly grants every citizen the right to assemble peacefully and protest against injustice. The violent suppression of MATS students and registered teachers, who were peacefully demanding their legitimate rights, blatantly disregards these constitutional protections. Such actions not only undermine the rule of law but also erode public trust in Bangladesh’s democratic institutions.
In addition, Article 35(5) of the Constitution of Bangladesh explicitly prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishment. The excessive baton charges and violent suppression of peaceful demonstrators are direct violations of these provisions, amounting to torture and abuse of power by law enforcement authorities.
Robert Simon, Prominent French Human Rights Activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF said, “The violent use of force against peaceful demonstrators in Bangladesh is a clear breach of fundamental human rights and international law. The international community must not remain silent in the face of such brutality. Bangladesh must be held accountable for its actions, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice. We must ensure that the right to peaceful protest is upheld and that such incidents are not repeated.”
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Bangladesh Human Rights Lawyer, and Founder President of JMBF, stated, “The torture and violent suppression of the peaceful protests by students and teachers in Bangladesh are not isolated incidents in Bangladesh; rather, this is part of a widespread human rights violation perpetrated under the present interim government across the country. The government must take immediate action to investigate this atrocity and protect the rights of all its citizens to peacefully assemble and demand justice.”
JMBF Demands:
Immediate Investigation and Accountability: 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.
Legal, Medical, and Financial Support for Victims: The government must ensure that all injured students, teachers, journalists, and their immediate family members receive proper medical and psychological treatment as well as legal assistance to seek justice, alongside financial compensation.
Protection of Freedom of Assembly and Expression: The Bangladeshi government must uphold its commitments to the ICCPR, UDHR, and its own Constitution by ensuring that all citizens can express their grievances without fear of violence, intimidation, or persecution.
Immediate Resolution of the Protesters’ Demands: The legitimate demands of the MATS students and registered teachers must be addressed without delay to prevent further unrest and ensure fairness in the country’s education and employment sectors.
Call to the International Community: JMBF urges the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR), the European Union, and other international human rights bodies to take immediate notice of this grave violation and engage with the Bangladeshi authorities to prevent further abuses.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is closely monitoring the developments of both incidents of torture and remains committed to advocating for justice, accountability, and human rights for all Bangladeshis, both at home and abroad.
Thank you.
Mosa Jannatul Ferdaus
Chief Coordinator & Member of the Executive Committee
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
107 Rue Gallieni, 93000 Bobigny, France
Cell/WhatsApp: +33 (0)7 83 95 23 15
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