JMBF asserts that this politically motivated and arbitrary action—under the watch of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus—constitutes a flagrant violation of the Constitution of Bangladesh, as well as fundamental international human rights obligations to which Bangladesh is legally bound.
JMBF believes that eighty-four lawyers—many of them senior members of the Dhaka Bar Association and known affiliates of the Awami League—were sent to jail not because of any established legal fault or conviction, but despite having valid anticipatory bail from the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court.
JMBF considers the decision handed down by the Sessions Court, in direct contradiction to the protective order granted by the higher judiciary, to raise fundamental concerns about the state of justice in Bangladesh—particularly under the stewardship of the current interim government led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.
JMBF emphasizes that the actions of the Sessions Judge not only undermine the authority of the High Court but also compromise the very foundation of a hierarchical and rule-bound judiciary. It appears to be a dangerous exercise in political retaliation, cloaked in legal formalities but devoid of substantive justice.
JMBF further underscores that the Constitution of Bangladesh, in Articles 31 and 33, enshrines the right to protection under the law and to due process. These rights are neither optional nor negotiable—they are guaranteed. Furthermore, under international law—including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Articles 10 and 11) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (Articles 9 and 14)—Bangladesh is legally obligated to uphold the rights to liberty, a fair trial, and the presumption of innocence.
JMBF believes that the mass incarceration of lawyers constitutes a violation of the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, which clearly affirm that lawyers must be able to carry out their professional duties without intimidation, hindrance, harassment, or improper interference. When lawyers become political prisoners due to their affiliations or for representing controversial clients or causes, the independence of the legal profession is effectively destroyed.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and Founder President of JMBF stated, "Despite having anticipatory bail from the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, the rejection of bail and the incarceration of 84 lawyers of the Dhaka Bar Association is not just a domestic legal issue—it is a crisis of international human rights, rule of law, and judicial independence."
He further added, "Despite publicly committing to uphold human rights, the rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary, the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus is engaged in a systematic crackdown on lawyers, journalists, and political activists who are raising their voices against the undemocratic and unconstitutional practices of the current regime. These violations are now widespread across the country and must be stopped immediately."
Robert Simon, a prominent French human rights activist, and Chief Adviser of JMBF, stated,"This incident is part of a broader pattern of abuse under the interim government: the weaponization of judicial institutions as tools of political repression. The decision to imprison 84 legal professionals—before the expiration of their legally secured bail—is not only unjust, it is deeply symbolic. It sends a chilling message to lawyers across Bangladesh: that your status, your service, and even your court-sanctioned protections mean nothing if the regime deems you an enemy."
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France calls upon the judiciary of Bangladesh to honor its constitutional oath. JMBF urges the interim government to immediately and unconditionally release all detained lawyers, comply with the rulings of the High Court, and drop the baseless charges brought against them.
In addition, JMBF calls upon international bodies, including the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, the European Union, and other international human rights organizations to take note of this miscarriage of justice and act immediately to hold the current interim government accountable for its ongoing violations of human rights.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France is closely monitoring this case and stands in full solidarity with the victims of this politically motivated repression.
JMBF firmly believes that no nation can claim to be democratic if its lawyers are imprisoned for practicing law and political belief if bail is rendered meaningless, and if political power determines judicial outcomes. When defenders of justice are silenced, justice itself stands trial. And right now, in Bangladesh, justice is losing.
Thank you,
Fact in Brief (According to information received from JMBF's reliable sources and reports published in various news media in Bangladesh):
Despite having anticipatory bail from the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, on April 6, 2025, Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Zakir Hossain Galib rejected the bail pleas of 84 pro-Awami League (AL) lawyers and sent them to jail in connection with a case involving violence, vandalism, and attempted murder during the mass uprising on August 4, 2024.
The court, however, granted bail to nine others, including Abu Sayeed Sagar, former president of the Dhaka Bar Association, considering his age and the fact that the others were female. Earlier in the day, a total of 93 lawyers had appeared before the court seeking anticipatory bail.
Among those sent to jail custody were several prominent lawyers, including former president of the Dhaka Bar Association Sayedur Rahman Mamik, Shah Alam, Mahbubur Rahman, Abu Sayeed Sagar, Asadur Rahman Rochi, and Public Prosecutor of the Cyber Tribunal Nazrul Islam Shamim, along with other former Bar Association members.
The case was filed on February 6, 2025, by Mohammad Ali Babu, a pro-Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) lawyer and executive member of the Dhaka Bar Association. He allegedly assumed the position by ousting an elected member of the executive committee following the fall of the former Awami League-led government. In his complaint, Babu accused 144 pro-AL lawyers of being involved in an attack on the court premises during the movement.
According to the complaint, on August 4, 2024, around 12:00 PM, the accused allegedly gathered in front of the Dhaka Bar Association armed with weapons and sticks and also detonated crude bombs.
One lawyer was reportedly targeted by Anwar Shahadat Shawon, who allegedly aimed a pistol at him with intent to kill. Another accused, Wakil, allegedly struck him with an iron rod, causing serious injuries. Other accused reportedly attacked fellow lawyers, looted the chambers of pro-BNP lawyers, and vandalized property worth millions of taka.
Following the incident, 115 lawyers secured eight-week anticipatory bail from the High Court. That bail is set to expire on April 7, 2025. However, before the expiration of the bail period, they were taken into jail custody.
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