JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Strongly Condemns the Arrest, Calling for His Immediate and Unconditional Release and the Dropping of All Politically Motivated Charges Against Him
JMBF expresses grave concern over the circumstances surrounding his arrest and the use of counter-terrorism legislation in cases involving alleged political activities, expression, or association.
According to media reports and information independently verified by JMBF through reliable sources, Advocate Rumen was named as accused No. 63 in a case filed at Sunamganj Sadar Police Station on 18 September 2026, despite reportedly not being present at the scene of the alleged incident.
On 22 September 2026, Advocate Rumen went to the Sunamganj District Bar Association office to discuss the case with Bar leaders. Lawyers reportedly noticed plainclothes police personnel around the premises. Bar representatives subsequently accompanied him to Sunamganj Sadar Police Station, where he was handed over to the police and arrested. On 23 September 2026, he was produced before a court in Sunamganj, which ordered that he be sent to jail.
JMBF stresses that political affiliation, political opinion, participation in peaceful activities, or association with particular individuals or groups must not, in themselves, constitute grounds for arrest, detention, or prosecution. Any criminal proceedings must be based on specific and credible evidence establishing individual criminal responsibility.
Bangladesh, as a State Party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), is obligated to respect and protect the right to liberty and security of person and freedom from arbitrary detention under Article 9, fair-trial guarantees under Article 14, and the freedoms of expression and association under Articles 19 and 22, respectively.
JMBF also recalls the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers. Principle 16 requires that lawyers be able to perform their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment, or improper interference. Principle 17 requires adequate safeguards where lawyers’ security is threatened as a result of discharging their professional functions. Principle 18 provides that lawyers must not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes merely because they perform their professional functions, while Principle 23 safeguards lawyers’ freedoms of expression, belief, association, and assembly.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF, stated: “The arrest and detention of former Public Prosecutor Advocate Khairul Kabir Rumen under the Anti-Terrorism Act raise serious concerns regarding fundamental rights, due process, and the independence of the legal profession. The authorities must ensure that counter-terrorism legislation is not used as an instrument of political harassment or to suppress lawful expression and association.”
JMBF Calls Upon the Authorities to:
- Immediately and unconditionally release Advocate Khairul Kabir Rumen and drop the charges against him, particularly in light of reports that he was not present at the scene of the alleged incident;
- Conduct an independent and impartial review of the allegations and evidence against him and ensure that any criminal proceedings are based solely on specific and credible evidence establishing individual criminal responsibility;
- Guarantee his due process and fair-trial rights, physical and psychological integrity, and unhindered access to his lawyers and family;
- Respect and uphold the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, particularly Principles 16, 17, 18, and 23; and
- Refrain from using the Anti-Terrorism Act or other criminal legislation as a means of political harassment, intimidation, retaliation, or suppression of lawful expression and association.
JMBF calls upon the United Nations Human Rights Council, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the European Union, and other international and intergovernmental human rights organisations to closely monitor the case and take appropriate measures within their respective mandates to safeguard Advocate Rumen’s fundamental rights and the independence of the legal profession in Bangladesh.
In solidarity,
Ms. Jannatul Ferdaus
Assistant Secretary General
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
CNB Premises, 180 Boulevard Haussmann
75008 Paris, France
Email: info@jmbf.org | Website: www.jmbf.org
Follow Us: Facebook: jmbf23 | X: JusticeMakersBF
LinkedIn: jmbf23 | Instagram: justicemakersbf
***************************************************
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan international human rights organization registered in France under the French Association Law of 1901 (Registration No. W931027714), committed to defending human rights, promoting social justice, and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond. JMBF is officially registered in the European Union Transparency Register (REG No. 0635235105176-78).
No comments:
Post a Comment