According to a report published by the daily Samakal on 8 August 2026, the Intern Doctors Association of Chattogram Medical College Hospital issued a statement condemning Dr. XXX over allegations that he had been involved in same-sex conduct and announced that he would be boycotted from internship activities.
The statement was reportedly issued under the signature of the Association's Office Secretary, Dr. Md. Irfanur Rahman, and signed by its President, Dr. Md. Sakib Hossain, and General Secretary, Dr. Zaman Md. Nurshad.
According to the reported statement, the Association characterised the alleged same-sex conduct in degrading and condemnatory terms, announced that Dr. XXX would no longer be permitted to work with other intern doctors, and requested the Director of Chattogram Medical College Hospital and the Principal of Chattogram Medical College to impose "exemplary punishment" upon him.
Media reports further indicate that a group of students issued a joint statement raising allegations concerning Dr. XXX's same-sex conduct. The students reportedly claimed that Dr. XXX's mobile phone had been searched and that information allegedly indicating a same-sex relationship had been found on the device. They further described the alleged conduct as contrary to campus discipline and "moral values" and requested an investigation and action against him under the applicable rules of the college.
JMBF is deeply alarmed that an individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or alleged consensual same-sex conduct may be used as a basis for public humiliation, discrimination, professional exclusion, boycott, harassment, or punitive action.
JMBF strongly maintains that an individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation must not, by itself, constitute grounds for punishment, professional exclusion, harassment, intimidation, humiliation, or discrimination.
The reported declaration of a collective professional boycott is particularly concerning because it could directly obstruct Dr. XXX's ability to complete his mandatory internship and could create a hostile, intimidating, and discriminatory environment within a public medical institution.
JMBF is further concerned that publicly identifying, condemning, and isolating an individual because of his actual or perceived sexual orientation may expose him to an increased risk of harassment, intimidation, threats, violence, and other forms of retaliation.
The authorities therefore have an immediate responsibility to safeguard his physical safety, dignity, privacy, professional rights, and uninterrupted access to medical training and internship.
JMBF is also seriously concerned about reports that information allegedly obtained from Dr. XXX's mobile phone has been cited in connection with the allegations. Any access to, search of, collection, copying, disclosure, circulation, publication, or use of private communications or personal information must comply with applicable law and respect the principles of privacy, dignity, confidentiality, and due process.
If there are credible allegations of specific professional misconduct unrelated to sexual orientation, such allegations may be investigated impartially and individually through established institutional procedures. However, actual or perceived sexual orientation or private consensual same-sex conduct must not, in itself, be treated as professional misconduct or as grounds for disciplinary punishment.
The reported conduct raises serious concerns regarding the fundamental principles of equality, non-discrimination, privacy, dignity, personal security, and protection from arbitrary interference, as recognised under international human rights law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Bangladesh is a State Party.
JMBF therefore seeks your urgent intervention, including through appropriate communication with the Government of Bangladesh, the relevant medical and educational authorities, the United Nations, the European Union, and diplomatic missions in Bangladesh, to ensure the immediate protection of Dr. XXX; prevent any discriminatory boycott, professional exclusion, harassment, intimidation, or retaliation against him; and ensure accountability for any persons found, following a fair and impartial investigation, to have engaged in unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, invasion of privacy, or obstruction of his professional training.
JMBF believes that prompt intervention in this matter is essential not only for safeguarding the rights and security of the doctor concerned but also for protecting sexual and gender minority students, doctors, healthcare professionals, and others from discrimination and persecution within Bangladesh's educational and healthcare institutions.
JMBF kindly requests that a copy of any action taken in response to this appeal be shared with our office.
Thank you.
SAMPLE LETTER
Subject: Urgent Appeal for Prompt Action to Safeguard a Sexual Minority Intern Doctor and Ensure Accountability for Discrimination and Boycott at Chattogram Medical College Hospital
Dear Prime Minister,
Greetings from JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF).
JMBF, a France-based international human rights organisation founded on the principles of the United Nations Bill of Rights, has been working consistently to promote and protect human rights in Bangladesh and beyond.
We are writing to seek your urgent intervention regarding reports that Dr. XXX, an intern doctor at Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH), has been subjected to public condemnation, discrimination, professional exclusion, and a declared boycott over allegations concerning same-sex conduct and his actual or perceived sexual orientation.
According to a report published by the daily Samakal on 8 August 2026, the Intern Doctors Association of Chattogram Medical College Hospital issued a statement condemning Dr. XXX over allegations that he had been involved in same-sex conduct and announced that he would be boycotted from internship activities.
The statement was reportedly issued under the signature of the Association's Office Secretary, Dr. Md. Irfanur Rahman, and signed by its President, Dr. Md. Sakib Hossain, and General Secretary, Dr. Zaman Md. Nurshad.
According to the reported statement, the Association characterised the alleged conduct in degrading and condemnatory terms and announced that Dr. XXX would no longer be permitted to work with other intern doctors.
The Association reportedly stated that approximately three months remained of their internship and that Dr. XXX would not be allowed to work with them during that period. The Association also reportedly requested the Director of Chattogram Medical College Hospital and the Principal of Chattogram Medical College to impose "exemplary punishment" upon him.
Media reports further indicate that a group of students issued a joint statement alleging that Dr. XXX had engaged in same-sex conduct and activities that they considered contrary to campus discipline and "moral values."
The students reportedly claimed that Dr. XXX's mobile phone had been searched and that information allegedly indicating a same-sex relationship had been found on the device. They requested the authorities to investigate the matter and take action under the applicable rules of the college.
The Principal of Chattogram Medical College, Professor Dr. Mohammad Jasim Uddin, reportedly confirmed that he had received a letter concerning the matter and stated that the relevant issues were being examined and that statements would be taken from the intern doctor concerned and other relevant persons.
JMBF is gravely concerned by these developments.
An individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation or alleged private consensual same-sex conduct must not, by itself, become a basis for public humiliation, professional exclusion, discriminatory boycott, harassment, intimidation, or disciplinary punishment.
Regardless of prevailing social, cultural, religious, or political attitudes towards sexual orientation, every individual is entitled to dignity, privacy, personal security, equality before the law, and protection from discriminatory and arbitrary treatment.
Immediate Protection of Dr. XXX
JMBF is particularly concerned that publicly identifying and condemning an intern doctor because of allegations concerning his sexual orientation may expose him to serious risks of harassment, intimidation, threats, violence, social hostility, professional retaliation, and other forms of harm.
The reported declaration that fellow intern doctors will refuse to work with Dr. XXX is especially alarming.
An internship is an integral and mandatory component of medical professional training. A collective boycott that prevents an intern doctor from participating in clinical duties, working with colleagues, receiving supervision, or completing required professional training may have serious consequences for his education and future career.
The Government and the relevant medical authorities therefore have an immediate responsibility to ensure that Dr. XXX is able to continue and complete his internship safely and without discriminatory obstruction.
His physical security, privacy, dignity, professional standing, and access to medical training must also be protected.
Concern Over Privacy
JMBF is equally concerned about reports that Dr. XXX's mobile phone was allegedly searched and that information obtained from the device has been cited in connection with the allegations against him.
A person's mobile phone may contain highly private communications, photographs, personal information, and other confidential material.
Any access to, search of, collection, copying, disclosure, circulation, publication, or use of such information must comply with applicable law and respect the individual's rights to privacy, confidentiality, dignity, and due process.
Private information must not be unlawfully used to expose, humiliate, threaten, intimidate, or discriminate against an individual because of his actual or perceived sexual orientation.
The circumstances in which Dr. XXX's mobile phone was allegedly searched and information was reportedly obtained from it should therefore be independently examined.
Accountability for Discrimination and the Declared Boycott
JMBF is deeply concerned that individuals holding representative positions within an association of medical professionals reportedly publicly condemned an intern doctor and announced a collective professional boycott on grounds related to allegations concerning his sexual orientation.
Such conduct may create a hostile and intimidating environment not only for Dr. XXX but also for other sexual and gender minority students, intern doctors, physicians, healthcare professionals, and staff.
Sexual and gender minority students and professionals should not have to conceal their identities or live in fear that disclosure or allegations concerning their sexual orientation will result in humiliation, professional isolation, harassment, or loss of educational opportunities.
JMBF therefore calls for a prompt, impartial, transparent, and independent investigation into the reported discriminatory statements, public stigmatisation, declared boycott, potential interference with Dr. XXX's internship, alleged search of his mobile phone, and any related harassment, intimidation, or privacy violations.
Where a fair investigation establishes that any student, intern doctor, association office-bearer, employee, or other individual engaged in unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, threats, invasion of privacy, or deliberate obstruction of Dr. XXX's internship or professional training, appropriate disciplinary and, where applicable, legal action should be taken against those responsible in accordance with the law and due-process guarantees.
JMBF emphasises that accountability must itself respect due process. No individual should be punished merely on the basis of an allegation. However, discriminatory misconduct, harassment, privacy violations, or deliberate obstruction of professional training should not be tolerated or allowed to occur with impunity.
Bangladesh's Human Rights Obligations
The reported incident raises significant concerns regarding Bangladesh's obligations to respect and protect the fundamental rights of all persons.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) recognises the inherent dignity and equal rights of all human beings and protects individuals against discrimination and arbitrary interference with their privacy.
Bangladesh is also a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which protects, among other rights, privacy, equality before the law, and equal protection of the law without discrimination.
Educational and healthcare institutions have a particular responsibility to maintain environments based on professional ethics, scientific understanding, dignity, confidentiality, equality, safety, and respect for human rights.
An individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation must not, in itself, be treated as professional misconduct.
If credible allegations exist concerning specific misconduct unrelated to sexual orientation, the authorities retain the responsibility to investigate those allegations objectively through established procedures. However, the same professional standards must be applied equally to all individuals without discrimination.
In this context, JMBF respectfully urges your Government to:
Take immediate measures to safeguard Dr. XXX from harassment, intimidation, threats, humiliation, discrimination, retaliation, or physical harm arising from his actual or perceived sexual orientation;
Ensure his uninterrupted continuation and completion of his medical internship, including equal access to clinical duties, supervision, training, assessment, and all other professional opportunities available to other intern doctors;
Immediately prevent any discriminatory boycott or professional exclusion directed against Dr. XXX solely because of his actual or perceived sexual orientation or alleged private consensual same-sex conduct;
Direct Chattogram Medical College and Chattogram Medical College Hospital to ensure his physical safety, dignity, privacy, professional rights, and equal treatment throughout the remainder of his internship;
Order a prompt, impartial, transparent, and independent investigation into the reported discriminatory statements, public stigmatisation, collective boycott, and other actions directed against Dr. XXX;
Investigate the conduct of any students, intern doctors, association office-bearers, employees, or other individuals who participated in, organised, encouraged, or implemented discriminatory harassment or professional exclusion, while ensuring full due-process guarantees for all persons concerned;
Take appropriate disciplinary and, where applicable, legal action against any person found through a fair and impartial investigation to have engaged in unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, threats, invasion of privacy, retaliation, or obstruction of Dr. XXX's medical internship and professional training;
Investigate the circumstances in which Dr. XXX's mobile phone was allegedly searched and how information obtained from the device was accessed, collected, copied, disclosed, or circulated, and take appropriate action if any violation of privacy or confidentiality is established;
Ensure that Dr. XXX's private communications, photographs, videos, personal information, or other sensitive data are not unlawfully disclosed or circulated for the purpose of exposing, humiliating, intimidating, threatening, or discriminating against him;
Ensure that no disciplinary or administrative action is taken against Dr. XXX solely on the basis of his actual or perceived sexual orientation or alleged private consensual same-sex conduct;
Direct Chattogram Medical College and Chattogram Medical College Hospital to establish and enforce effective safeguards against discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation, privacy violations, and retaliation, including confidential complaint and protection mechanisms;
Ensure a safe and non-discriminatory educational and professional environment for all sexual and gender minority students, intern doctors, physicians, healthcare professionals, and staff in medical institutions throughout Bangladesh; and
Take broader measures to ensure that educational and healthcare institutions across Bangladesh uphold human dignity, equality, privacy, professional ethics, non-discrimination, and respect for fundamental human rights.
JMBF emphasises that safeguarding Dr. XXX's rights does not prevent the competent authorities from investigating any genuine allegation of professional misconduct unrelated to his sexual orientation. Any such allegation should be considered objectively, individually, confidentially, and according to the same professional standards applicable to every medical student and intern doctor.
However, actual or perceived sexual orientation must never, by itself, become grounds for humiliation, discrimination, professional boycott, exclusion from medical training, harassment, or punishment.
JMBF is particularly concerned that failure to respond effectively to this incident may encourage similar acts of discrimination against other sexual and gender minority students and professionals and may foster an environment in which individuals fear that their actual or perceived sexual orientation could jeopardise their education, employment, personal safety, or future careers.
JMBF therefore respectfully calls upon your Government to take immediate and effective action to safeguard Dr. XXX, ensure his uninterrupted access to internship and professional training, protect his privacy and dignity, prevent discriminatory retaliation, and ensure accountability—following a fair and impartial investigation—for any individuals found responsible for unlawful discrimination, harassment, intimidation, privacy violations, or obstruction of his professional training.
Your Government's prompt intervention would send an important message that Bangladesh's educational and healthcare institutions must remain places of professional integrity, safety, equality, dignity, and respect for the fundamental human rights of every individual, including members of sexual and gender minorities.
JMBF firmly believes that your swift and effective intervention will contribute to safeguarding the rights of the doctor concerned, preventing further discrimination, strengthening accountability within public institutions, and upholding Bangladesh's national and international human rights obligations.
JMBF kindly requests that a copy of any action taken concerning this matter be shared with our office.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this urgent matter.
Yours sincerely,
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