JMBF immediately urges the government of Bangladesh to reschedule the election, restore the candidature of Pro-Awami League lawyers, and ensure a free and fair election environment for the Dinajpur District Advocate Bar Association Election 1432 Bangabdha.
Fact in Brief (According to Information Received from Reliable Source)
On March 29, 2025, Chief Election Commissioner Advocate Md. Ibrahim allegedly disqualified 13 candidates from the Pro-Awami League Lawyers Panel solely based on their political affiliations in the Dinajpur District Advocate Bar Association Election 1432 Bangabdha. The decision, which was entirely politically motivated, has sparked outrage among legal professionals and political observers.
According to sources, the executive committee election for the year 1432 Bangabdha was set to take place on April 5, 2025. The election schedule was announced on March 12, 2025, with the deadline for collecting nomination papers set for March 27 and submission on March 28. The scrutiny and finalization of candidates were scheduled for March 29, 2025.
The Pro-Awami League Lawyers Panel, under the banner of Sommilito Ainjibi Oikya Parishad, consists of 15 members and is led by Advocate Md. Liyakat Ali, had duly collected their nomination forms on March 25 and submitted them by the deadline. However, on March 29, Chief Election Commissioner Advocate Md. Ibrahim declared 13 nominations, including key positions such as Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer, as invalid. The justification given for their disqualification was their political affiliation with the Bangladesh Awami League.
In his official statement, the Chief Election Commissioner asserted that the candidates were ineligible to contest the Bar election due to their affiliation with the Bangladesh Awami League. He labeled them as collaborators of the past Sheikh Hasina fascist regime and declared their nominations canceled on this basis. In addition, he stated, "I am satisfied that the candidates are not eligible for the post."
However, critics argue that the constitution of the Dinajpur District Advocate Bar Association does not bar candidates based on political ideology, making the decision appear arbitrary and biased.
Sources have also pointed out that the Chief Election Commissioner and two other election officials were allegedly appointed under coercion by pro-BNP lawyers. Their direct involvement with the BNP has raised concerns about the impartiality of the election process.
Robert Simon, a prominent French human rights defender, and Chief Adviser of JMBF, stated, "The arbitrary and politically biased cancellation of candidacies in the Dinajpur Bar Election is a direct attack on the principles of democracy, justice, and the rule of law. The decision to disqualify candidates based solely on their political affiliation is unacceptable and undermines the very foundation of an independent legal profession. We call upon the relevant authorities to immediately overturn this undemocratic decision and restore justice. If such injustices continue, it will erode public trust in the electoral process and further damage the integrity of Bangladesh’s legal institutions."
Advocate Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and Founder President of JMBF denounced the disqualification, stating, "The cancellation of Pro-Awami League lawyer candidatures in district bar association elections is not an isolated incident in Bangladesh under the current interim government led by former Nobel Laureate for Peace Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Rather, it is aligned with widespread human rights violations, including political killings, mob lynching, rape, gang rape, murder, and attacks on religious, ethnic, and sexual minority communities, Sufis, and shrines. Since taking power, Mr. Yunus’s administration has allowed pro-BNP lawyers to forcefully take control of most district bar association executive committees, which is very alarming and must be stopped."
The disqualification of candidates based on political belief violates the following legal provisions:
Bangladesh Constitution: Article 27 (Equality before the law) and Article 31 (Right to protection of the law) guarantee equal treatment and due process.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR): Article 21 states that everyone has the right to take part in the government of their country and public service without discrimination.
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): Article 25 ensures every citizen’s right to participate in public affairs without unreasonable restrictions.
UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers: Principle 23 states that lawyers must not suffer discrimination due to political beliefs and should be allowed to perform their duties without intimidation or improper interference.
Additionally, Bangladesh’s Constitution guarantees the right to join a professional association without fear of discrimination or coercion. Article 40 of the Constitution affirms that every citizen has the right to form associations and unions, including professional associations, which is critical to ensuring the right to participate freely in such associations without facing undue restrictions or fear of retaliation.
JMBF urges the United Nations, European Commission, national and international human rights organizations, legal associations, and democratic institutions to intervene and ensure that the Dinajpur District Advocate Bar Association Election is conducted in a fair, impartial, and transparent manner.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is closely monitoring the incident and stands in solidarity with the disqualified lawyers. The organization will continue to advocate for justice and democratic rights in Bangladesh.
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