Press and Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Obstruction of Democratic Participation in Chattogram Bar Election Under the Present Interim Government

Paris, France; April 12, 2025 — France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses grave concern and unequivocal condemnation over the blatant obstruction of democratic rights witnessed in the 2025 Chattogram District Bar Association election. On April 10, lawyers aligned with the Awami League and other left-leaning parties were deliberately barred from collecting nomination forms by a group of BNP-Jamaat affiliated lawyers, effectively disenfranchising all opposition candidates. The resulting uncontested election of BNP-Jamaat candidates for all 21 posts stands as a clear violation of constitutional, legal, and human rights standards.

JMBF believes that this incident is not isolated. It reflects a wider pattern of systematic intimidation, politicization, and repression that has unfolded under the present interim regime led by Prof. Muhammad Yunus. The current administration has shown utter disregard for the principles of democracy, the rule of law, and the independence of the legal profession, as enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

JMBF states that the legal community is witnessing killings, arbitrary arrests, and fabricated cases targeting individuals for performing their professional duties or for their political and pro-democracy activism. These are accompanied by violent takeovers and the forceful occupation of bar associations including the Bangladesh Bar Council, Dhaka Bar Association, Supreme Court Bar Association, and Khulna Bar Association. There has also been a systematic barring of pro-democratic lawyers from contesting or participating in bar elections nationwide, as well as harassment and intimidation of members of independent electoral bodies, including the resignation of the previous election commission in Chattogram due to threats and coercion under the current interim government led by Prof. Muhammad Yunus.

These actions grossly violate Articles 38, 39, and 44 of the Constitution of Bangladesh, which guarantee freedom of association, expression, and access to legal remedy. Furthermore, they contravene Articles 14 and 21 of the ICCPR, which secure the right to a fair trial, equality before the law, and democratic participation.

Robert Simon, prominent French human rights activist and Chief Adviser of JusticeMakers Bangladesh Foundation (JMBF), stated:

“A legal profession under threat is a democracy under siege. The silencing of independent voices within the bar undermines the entire justice system and denies citizens their most basic rights.”

Advocate Shahanur Islam, Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and Founder President of JMBF, stated:

“This is a dark time for the legal community in Bangladesh. Lawyers are being systematically barred from their professional rights and democratic responsibilities. We call on the international community to take urgent notice and act.”

We Demand:

1. A Full and Impartial Investigation into the April 10, 2025 Incident in Chattogram

An immediate, independent, and transparent investigation must be launched into the events of April 10, where opposition lawyers were physically and systematically obstructed from collecting nomination forms. Those responsible for this calculated denial of democratic rights—including individuals who directly participated in the obstruction and those who enabled it—must be held accountable through criminal prosecution and professional disciplinary action. The culture of impunity must end.

2. Restoration of Fair and Inclusive Bar Elections Under Independent or UN-Monitored Oversight

In light of the systemic manipulation and intimidation currently undermining bar association elections, we demand the establishment of a neutral, credible, and transparent electoral mechanism for all bar association polls, including the Chattogram District Bar. This process must be either independently overseen or supported by UN or international legal observers to ensure legitimacy, inclusivity, and equal access for all candidates, regardless of political affiliation.

3. Immediate Resignation of the Chattogram Ad Hoc Committee and Formation of a Neutral Interim Election Commission

The current ad hoc committee, formed under controversial circumstances and complicit in facilitating this electoral exclusion, has lost moral and legal legitimacy. It must resign without delay. A new, neutral interim election commission, composed of respected, non-partisan legal professionals, should be constituted to restore trust and carry forward the electoral process in a lawful and unbiased manner.

4. Restoration of the Democratic Process in the Bangladesh Bar Council and All District Bar Associations

We call for the immediate reversal of the hostile takeovers and unlawful interference in the functioning of the Bangladesh Bar Council, Supreme Court Bar Association, Dhaka Bar Association, Khulna Bar Association, and others. These institutions must be returned to the control of elected representatives, and steps must be taken to guarantee the autonomy and independence of all bar associations under national and international legal standards.

5. An End to Political Persecution and Reinstatement of All Disenfranchised Lawyers

All lawyers who have been arbitrarily barred, dismissed, threatened, or obstructed due to their political beliefs or affiliations must be reinstated and guaranteed full participation in their professional and electoral rights. Political persecution—through fabricated cases, surveillance, harassment, or exclusion from institutional processes—must be ended immediately. The rights of lawyers to organize, speak freely, and engage in democratic practices must be protected as fundamental to the justice system and the rule of law in Bangladesh.

The independence of the legal profession is not negotiable. We call on all defenders of democracy, both within and outside Bangladesh, to stand in solidarity with the country’s lawyers and ensure their voices are not silenced.

Thank you.

Advocate Shahanur Islam

Founder President

JusticeMakers Bangladesh Foundation (JMBF)

Email: shahanur.islam@jmbf.org

Website: www.jmbf.org

Fact in Brief (According to information received from JMBF reliable sources and reports published in various news media in Bangladesh)

Awami League and Left-Leaning Lawyers Prevented from Collecting Nomination Forms in Chattogram Bar Election

In the 2025 election of the Chattogram District Bar Association, lawyers aligned with the Awami League and leftist parties were prevented from collecting nomination forms despite repeated attempts on April 10, 2025, due to obstruction by lawyers affiliated with BNP-Jamaat.

Although the distribution of nomination forms was officially scheduled to take place at the association’s library between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM, Awami League-backed and left-leaning candidates were reportedly blocked from accessing the Chief Election Commissioner by BNP-Jamaat-aligned lawyers. As a result, only candidates from the BNP-Jamaat panel were able to collect and submit nomination forms.

Notably, Shahadat Hossain, the current Public Prosecutor (PP) of the Public Safety Tribunal and an LDP-backed candidate for the post of president, faced direct obstruction when attempting to collect his nomination form.

Awami League-backed lawyers noted that for the past 16 years, elections in the Chattogram Bar Association have traditionally allowed participation from all ideological groups without obstruction.

These lawyers, many of whom were previously part of the Lawyers' Coordination Council, had earlier collected nomination forms as independent candidates under a different schedule. On April 10, they made a collective attempt at around 2:30 PM to collect forms again, but were systematically prevented from doing so.

Abdur Rashid, a candidate for president, stated:

“We went as independent candidates to collect forms, only to find the election office occupied by BNP-Jamaat lawyers who prevented us from accessing the forms.”

He further added:

“After failing the first time, we reported the incident to the ad hoc committee, which advised us to try again. Even then, we were obstructed. We did not engage in any confrontation.”

Former PP Abdur Rashid also alleged:

“Not only us—an LDP-backed lawyer was also denied the opportunity. They want to score in an empty goalpost.”

Shahadat Hossain, the LDP leader and current Public Prosecutor of the Public Safety Tribunal, stated:

“I appeared with the required documents and payment, but not only was I denied the form—I was pushed out of the office.”

Video footage circulating on social media shows Shahadat Hossain requesting a form from Chief Election Commissioner Advocate Tariq Ahmed, who asked him to sit and expressed willingness to speak. However, several lawyers intervened, pressuring the commissioner to take photographs with other candidates, after which Shahadat Hossain was escorted out of the room.

Earlier, on February 4, 2025, the previous election commission resigned citing intimidation and harassment. As a result, the scheduled election on February 10 was not held, and the tenure of the previously elected committee ended on that same day. A five-member ad hoc committee was formed on February 16 during a general meeting, with responsibilities officially handed over the following day.

According to the Bar’s regulations, elections must be held within 60 days, and April 16 was set as the new date for voting.

A H M Zia Uddin, former General Secretary of the Bar, stated:

“In the 132-year history of the Chattogram Bar, such an incident is unprecedented. Even during our 16 years in office, we ensured participation of all political affiliations. But this time, the democratic process has been severely obstructed.”

Due to the inability of Awami League and leftist candidates to collect nomination forms, BNP-Jamaat-backed candidates submitted nominations for all 21 posts and, in the absence of any opposition, were declared elected unopposed on April 12, 2025.

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JMBF is an independent non-profit, nonpartisan human rights organization registered in France with registration number W931027714 under the association law of 1901, dedicated to defending human rights, fighting for justice, and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond.