JMBF President Raises Concerns with ICC Judge over Ongoing Human Rights Crisis in Bangladesh
The event, organised by the Mission d’appui à la démocratie and the Direction des Affaires juridiques of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, featured a high-level conference entitled “Force du droit, loi du plus fort : quel avenir pour le droit dans les relations internationales ?” (“The Force of Law or the Law of the Strongest: What Future for Law in International Relations?”).
The conference brought together representatives of the judiciary, diplomacy, academia and international legal institutions to discuss the future of international law, accountability and the challenges facing the international rules-based legal order.
The central round-table discussion was moderated by Niagalé Bagayoko, political scientist and President of the African Security Sector Network. Speakers included François Alabrune, Ambassador of France to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and to multilateral institutions based in The Hague; Nicolas Guillou, French Judge at the International Criminal Court (ICC); and Julia Grignon, Associate Professor at Paris-Panthéon-Assas University and President of the Sub-Commission on International Humanitarian Law and Humanitarian Action of the French National Consultative Commission on Human Rights.
The programme also included interventions by senior representatives of French judicial, legal and governmental institutions.
JMBF President Raises the Situation in Bangladesh with ICC Judge
On the sidelines of the event, JMBF President Advocate Shahanur Islam directly raised concerns with Nicolas Guillou, French Judge at the International Criminal Court, regarding alleged impunity, political killings and barriers to justice for victims in Bangladesh since the 2024 uprising.
Advocate Islam drew attention to the killing of numerous police personnel, as well as leaders, activists and supporters of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated organisations, during and in the aftermath of the July–August 2024 movement in Bangladesh.
He expressed particular concern about what JMBF considers to be a continuing lack of effective accountability for such killings and stressed that the right to justice should apply equally to every victim, irrespective of political affiliation, profession or institutional identity.
Advocate Islam also raised concerns regarding subsequent killings, mob violence and other attacks reportedly targeting Awami League leaders, activists and supporters. He referred to allegations involving members or supporters of political groups, including the BNP, Jamaat and NCP, while stressing the need for credible, independent and impartial investigations to establish individual responsibility in accordance with the law.
He further highlighted concerns that victims and families affected by such violence face significant barriers to obtaining effective legal remedies and securing accountability through domestic mechanisms.
Against this background, Advocate Islam asked Judge Nicolas Guillou about the potential role of the International Criminal Court and the circumstances under which international criminal justice mechanisms could address alleged serious crimes when victims are unable to obtain effective remedies domestically and where allegations of impunity persist.
The discussion provided JMBF with an opportunity to raise the situation of victims of human rights violations and political violence in Bangladesh within a broader international conversation concerning the rule of law, accountability and international justice.
JMBF emphasises that every unlawful killing and serious act of violence should be independently and impartially investigated and that perpetrators should be held accountable through fair and credible judicial processes, regardless of the political identity of either the victims or the alleged perpetrators.
JMBF further believes that victims and their families must have meaningful access to justice, truth and effective remedies without discrimination, intimidation or political interference.
The participation of Advocate Shahanur Islam and Advocate Mohammad Alamgir in the event reflects JMBF’s continued engagement with French, European and international institutions on issues concerning human rights, the rule of law, international justice, accountability, the protection of lawyers and human rights defenders, and access to justice for victims of serious human rights violations.
JMBF remains committed to advocating for independent, impartial and non-discriminatory accountability mechanisms and for the protection of the fundamental rights of all victims, irrespective of their political affiliation or background.
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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).
