JMBF condemns the alleged politically motivated arrests of four lawyers in Bangladesh and urges their immediate release and urgent UN intervention.
Paris, France | 18 October 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the reported arrests and detention of four Bangladeshi lawyers Advocate Ziaul Islam Kajol, Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Tushar, Advocate Mehrab Hossain Kamal and Advocate Rayhanul Islam RanaAccording to information obtained by JMBF from published newspaper reports, collected case documents and its own reliable sources, the four lawyers were arrested in connection with previously filed criminal cases, including cases registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act, 2009. Their families and colleagues allege that the arrests were politically motivated and intended to intimidate legal professionals representing individuals associated with the Awami League.
JMBF is particularly alarmed that Advocates Ziaul Islam Kajol and Mahbubur Rahman Tushar were arrested within hours of providing legal assistance to former Narayanganj Mayor Dr. Selina Hayat Ivy on 13 October 2026. Similarly, Advocate Mehrab Hossain Kamal was arrested on 11 October 2026, just nine days after submitting bail applications on behalf of 11 Awami League leaders and activists. Advocate Rayhanul Islam Rana, who had been providing legal assistance to Awami League members in Chattogram, was also reportedly arrested on 11 October 2026.
JMBF considers these arrests deeply concerning because of their timing, the lawyers' professional involvement in politically sensitive cases and allegations that they were implicated in previously registered criminal proceedings despite not being named in the original First Information Reports (FIRs).
JMBF strongly condemns any attempt to criminalise legitimate legal representation, intimidate lawyers because of their clients' political affiliations or associate legal professionals with the alleged offences or political beliefs of the individuals they represent. Such practices, if established, would constitute serious violations of the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers and raise concerns under Articles 9, 14, 19, 22 and 26 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
JMBF emphasises that the right to legal representation is universal and applies equally to individuals accused of terrorism-related offences, members of banned political organisations and persons holding unpopular political opinions. Lawyers must be free to represent such individuals without intimidation, harassment, prosecution or retaliation for legitimate professional activities.
JMBF urgently calls upon the Government of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bangladesh Police and the relevant judicial authorities to ensure the immediate release of the four lawyers unless their continued detention is supported by credible individualised evidence and lawful grounds; conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the circumstances of their arrests; guarantee their safety and access to legal counsel; and prevent any further intimidation or harassment of lawyers representing politically affiliated defendants.
JMBF further urges the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) to consider issuing a joint urgent communication to the Government of Bangladesh, seeking clarification regarding the legal and factual grounds for the arrests and calling for immediate measures to protect the lawyers' fundamental rights and professional independence.
JMBF also calls upon international bar associations, lawyers' organisations, human rights defenders and civil society organisations to express solidarity with the detained lawyers and advocate for the protection of the independence of the legal profession in Bangladesh.
The organisation urges all concerned individuals and institutions to write to the relevant United Nations Special Procedures mandate holders and Bangladeshi authorities, demanding an independent investigation, protection against arbitrary detention, accountability for any established violations and effective remedies.
In Solidarity,
Advocate Shahanur Islam
Founder President
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
CNB Premises
180 Boulevard Haussmann
75008 Paris, France
Email: info@jmbf.org | Website: www.jmbf.org
FORWARDED FOR INFORMATION AND APPROPRIATE ACTION
1. Ms. Margaret Satterthwaite
United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
United Nations Office at Geneva
8–14 Avenue de la Paix
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Email: hrc-sr-independencejl@un.org
2. Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD)
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
United Nations Office at Geneva
8–14 Avenue de la Paix
CH-1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland
Email: hrc-wg-ad@un.org
3. Mr. Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir
Honourable President
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Office of the President (Bangabhaban)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Email: secretary@bangabhaban.gov.bd
4. Mr. Tarique Rahman
Honourable Prime Minister
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Prime Minister's Office
Tejgaon, Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh
Email: pm@pmo.gov.bd
CC: psecy@pmo.gov.bd
5. Mr. Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury
Honourable Chief Justice
Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Ramna, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Emails: rg@supremecourt.gov.bd
6. Mr. Md. Asaduzzaman, MP
Minister of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Email: minister@minlaw.gov.bd
7. Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed
Minister of Home Affairs
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Email: minister@moha.gov.bd
8. Mr. Manzur Morshed Chowdhury
Senior Secretary
Ministry of Home Affairs
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Email: secretary@moha.gov.bd
9. Mr. Ali Hossain Fakir
Inspector General of Police
Bangladesh Police Headquarters
6 Phoenix Road, Fulbaria
Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Email: ig@police.gov.bd
10. Md. Ruhul Quddus (Kazal)
Chairman, Bangladesh Bar Council
ttorney General of Bangladesh
Office of the Attorney General
Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Ramna, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
11. Mr. Mahbub Uddin Khokon, MP
President
Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association
Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Shahbag, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Email: scba.bd@gmail.com
12. Mr. Sarkar Humayun Kabir
President
Narayanganj District Bar Association
Narayanganj District Court Premises
Narayanganj, Bangladesh
Email: info@ndbabd.com
13. Mr. Anwar Zahid Bhuiyan
President
Dhaka Bar Association
6–7 Court House Street
Kotwali, Dhaka-1100, Bangladesh
14. Mr. Tarique Ahmed
President
Chattogram District Bar Association
Court Hill, Chattogram, Bangladesh
Email: info@cdba.com
READ FULL URGENT APPEAL IN ENGLISH
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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 marginalised communities in Bangladesh and beyond. JMBF is officially registered in the European Union Transparency Register (REG No. 0635235105176-78).
