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.
According to multiple news reports from Bangladesh, the joint forces conducted an operation based on intelligence suggesting that a group of criminals was preparing to rob people. However, the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Miraz and Jummon remain deeply concerning. Their killings appear to have been arbitrary, excessive, and based on unclear or inconsistent evidence, reinforcing the belief that this tragic event is another example of extrajudicial violence by state forces.
Robert Simon, a prominent French human rights activist and the Chief Adviser of JMBF, has stated, "The tragic deaths of Miraz Hossain and Md Jummon should not be swept under the rug. In a democratic society, every individual, regardless of their background, deserves the right to a fair trial and protection against extrajudicial executions. We call for an independent investigation into this incident and demand accountability from the authorities responsible. The pattern of extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh must end now."
JMBF stands in solidarity with the families of the victims and calls on the Bangladesh government to take immediate action. We demand the following:
- Independent and Impartial Investigation:JMBF calls for an immediate, independent, and impartial judicial inquiry into the extrajudicial killings of Miraz and Jummon. The current official version of events is inconsistent with available evidence, including troubling details about the condition of the rooftop where the bodies were found. Claims of gunfights and other unverified reports must be scrutinized by an independent body, free from governmental influence, ensuring a transparent, fair, and credible investigation. The truth must be made known, and those responsible must be held accountable.
- Accountability and Justice for Perpetrators:No one, regardless of their position, is above the law. We demand that those responsible for these extrajudicial killings be swiftly identified, prosecuted, and held accountable for their actions. This must be done through a fair, transparent, and impartial trial that follows the constitutional and legal frameworks of Bangladesh and respects international human rights standards. If those responsible are found guilty, they must face full legal consequences to set a precedent against abuses of power and extrajudicial violence.
- Immediate Financial Compensation for Victims’ Families:We demand that the Bangladesh government provide immediate financial compensation to the families of Miraz and Jummon. This should cover funeral expenses, lost income, and any other related financial hardships. Additionally, psychological and physical support must be offered to help the families cope with the immense trauma of this tragic loss. No amount of financial compensation can restore the lives lost, but it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that the families are not left destitute in the wake of this violence.
- Reform of Law Enforcement and Military Institutions:The ongoing problem of extrajudicial killings points to a systemic failure within Bangladesh's law enforcement and military institutions. JMBF calls for immediate reform, including strengthening accountability mechanisms, implementing human rights training for security personnel, and creating independent oversight bodies to monitor the actions of law enforcement agencies. The government must ensure that security forces protect citizens rather than harm them, and that all forms of abuse are met with swift and decisive action.
- International Oversight and Accountability:The international community must hold Bangladesh accountable for these violations of human rights. JMBF calls on global human rights organizations, including the United Nations and the European Union, to take concrete action by calling for a transparent and independent investigation into the killings and by applying diplomatic pressure on the Bangladesh government to uphold its human rights obligations. The Bangladesh government must not be allowed to continue extrajudicial killings with impunity.
The extrajudicial killings of Miraz Hossain and Md Jummon are yet another tragic reminder of the unchecked power of law enforcement in Bangladesh. These killings cannot and should not be ignored. JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France stands in unwavering solidarity with the families of the victims and calls for justice to be served in a fair and transparent manner. We will not rest until those responsible are held accountable, and the necessary reforms are put in place to ensure that such abuses do not continue.
JMBF urges all human rights organizations, activists, and concerned citizens of Bangladesh and the international community to join us in demanding justice, transparency, and the end of extrajudicial killings.
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Fact in Brief (according to reports received by reliable sources of JMBF and news published in several newspapers in Bangladesh):
On the night of February 19, 2025, in Dhaka's Mohammadpur area, two individuals, identified as Miraz Hossain (25) and Md Jummon (26), were allegedly killed in a gunfight between a group of criminals and joint forces led by the Bangladesh Army.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the joint forces launched an operation in the Chand Udyan area of Mohammadpur based on intelligence about a group preparing to rob people. The operation took place around 12:30 am on February 20, 2025. During the operation, criminals reportedly opened fire from the roof of a one-story building, prompting the joint forces to retaliate in self-defense.
The joint forces recovered the bodies of the two victims, Miraz and Jummon, from the rooftop during their search of the house. Both individuals were found with bullet wounds, according to the autopsy conducted at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital.
A section of the corrugated tin sheet on the roof, where the bodies were found, appeared to have been cut, raising suspicions among locals that the site had been tampered with before the search. Several locals also mentioned that they had not observed a hole in the roof prior to the raid.
When a correspondent from The Daily Star visited the site, a section of the corrugated tin sheet on the roof appeared to have been cut. Locals claimed they had not seen any hole in the tin roof before the raid.
Meanwhile, police stated that the bodies of Miraz and Jummon were sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for autopsies. According to the hospital's forensic pathologist, both bodies bore bullet wounds.
Speaking at the hospital morgue, Jummon's elder sister, Aklima Begum, said her brother was a tile worker but had been unemployed since August of the previous year. He lived with his wife and son just yards away from the site of the incident. "He returned home at 10:00 pm on Wednesday. An hour later, he received multiple phone calls from Miraz. When his wife, fearing the joint forces' raid, tried to stop him from leaving, he ignored her and left home around 11:45 pm. An hour later, she was informed that he had died in a shootout."
Meanwhile, Miraz's father, Md Shahjahan, told reporters that Miraz used to drive a CNG-run auto-rickshaw while also helping his father run a tea stall. "He lived in a house near the site of the incident. That night, he left home around 10:30 pm."
A caretaker of the house—known as Julhas's house—where the bodies were found said they heard the sounds of people running and multiple gunshots after midnight. "After an hour and a half, the army informed us that two bodies were on the rooftop, and I had to be a witness."
Some locals told this correspondent that an army patrol was ongoing around 10:00 pm. After midnight, the army used megaphones to ask people to stay indoors and instructed some individuals to surrender.
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