BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern over the Arbitrary Mass Arrests and Misuse of the Anti-Terrorism Act Against More Than Three Hundred Individuals of the Awami League for Participating in Peaceful Political Rallies

Paris, France | 08 June 2026: France-based international human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses its deep concern, profound outrage, and strong protest regarding the arbitrary mass arrests, politically motivated cases, judicial harassment, and misuse of the Anti-Terrorism Act against more than three hundred leaders, activists, and supporters of the Bangladesh Awami League, Bangladesh Chhatra League, and Jubo League during the first week of June for exercising their constitutional rights to participate in peaceful rallies, assemblies, and political expression in Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Strong Protest Over the Arbitrary Arrest of 49 Individuals, Including 17 Children, for Participating in a Peaceful Rally in Noakhali

Paris, France | 7 June 2026: The France-based international human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses its deep concern and strong protest over the arbitrary arrest of 49 activists of the Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League, including 17 children, in Noakhali solely for participating in a peaceful rally and assembly.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Holds Bilateral Meeting with International League Against Arbitrary Detention (ILAAD) in Paris

Paris, France | 6 June 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) held a bilateral meeting with the International League Against Arbitrary Detention (ILAAD) in Paris on 5 May 2026 to discuss the current human rights situation in Bangladesh, particularly concerns regarding arbitrary detention, and to explore avenues for future cooperation.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arrest of More Than One Hundred People for Allegedly Chanting “Joy Bangla”

Paris, France | 2 June 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the arrest, detention, and prosecution under the Anti-Terrorism Act of more than one hundred individuals across Bangladesh during the tenure of the current BNP-led government for allegedly chanting the slogan “Joy Bangla.”

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Condemns Persecution of Students in Dhaka Over Allegations of Homosexuality

Paris, France | 15 May 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation over the detention, mental torture, handover to police, sentencing through a mobile court, and cancellation of dormitory seats of several students at the Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College in Dhaka on allegations of “homosexuality.” JMBF states that this incident constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Bangladesh and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The organization therefore calls for an immediate, impartial investigation and appropriate legal action against those responsible for these human rights violations.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Condemns Escalating Attacks on LGBTQ+ Communities in Bangladesh

Paris, France | 11 April 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern, strong condemnation, and outrage over ongoing incidents of violence, harassment, arrests, and state impunity targeting gender and sexual minority communities, including gay and transgender individuals, in Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH ALERT: Deep Concern over Arbitrary Arrest and Due Process Violations in the Case of Former Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury

Paris, France | 8 April 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation regarding the recent arrest, detention, and judicial treatment of lawyer, former Member of Parliament, and former Speaker of the National Parliament of Bangladesh, Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury. The circumstances surrounding her arrest and the legal proceedings against her raise serious and credible concerns about violations of due process, judicial fairness, and Bangladesh’s obligations under international human rights law.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over the Arrest of 2 Lawyers in Sunamganj

Paris, France | 27 March 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strongly condemns the arrest of two lawyers, Advocate Monish Kanti Dey (Mintu) and Advocate Mizanur Rahman (Shamim), and the filing of a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against 27 lawyers on 26 March, following an incident in Sunamganj where lawyers paid tribute to the martyrs on the occasion of Independence and National Day by placing wreaths at the memorial and chanting patriotic slogans.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Condemns Police ‘Special Directive’ on Politically Motivated Shown Arrests

Paris, France | 26 February 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern, anger, and strong condemnation over the “special directive” issued on 24 February 2026 by Rajshahi Range Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mohammad Shahjahan.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerns Over Arrest of Two Student in Dinajpur on Allegations of Homosexuality

Paris, France | 14 February 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the incident in which two young men were detained, interrogated, confined, and handed over to the police on allegations of “homosexuality” in an area adjacent to Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur on 19 January 2026.

BANGLADESH ALERT: Arrest of Senior Journalist Anis Alamgir under the Anti-Terrorism Act - A Naked Manifestation of State Repression Against Freedom of Expression

“বাংলা ভাষার সম্পূর্ণ সংস্করণ দেখার জন্য, নিচে স্ক্রল করে ‘More’ এ ক্লিক করুন।” "Pour consulter les versions complètes en français, faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur ‘Voir plus’.”

Paris, France I 15 December 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and profound outrage over the fact that the current interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has chosen an authoritarian and fascistic path by suppressing freedom of expression rather than protecting it, despite assuming power with commitments to uphold human rights, the rule of law, and unrestricted freedom of expression.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern Over the Conspiratorial Arrest of a Gay Teacher of Dhaka University

“বাংলা ভাষার সম্পূর্ণ সংস্করণ দেখার জন্য, নিচে স্ক্রল করে ‘More’ এ ক্লিক করুন।” "Pour consulter les versions complètes en français, faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur ‘Voir plus’.”

Paris, France; 15 November 2025: The France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and condemnation over the conspiratorial arrest and imprisonment of Dhaka University (DU) Chemistry Department Professor Dr. Ershad Halim on 13 November, based solely on fabricated and conspiratorial allegations of sexual harassment of male students, allegedly due to his belonging to the gay community, as part of the continued pattern of discrimination and targeted harassment against sexual minority groups in Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Attempted Arrest of Its Secretary General, Advocate Mohammad Alamgir, and the Continuing Attacks on Lawyers Across Bangladesh.

“বাংলা ভাষার সম্পূর্ণ সংস্করণ দেখার জন্য, নিচে স্ক্রল করে ‘More’ এ ক্লিক করুন।” "Pour consulter les versions complètes en français, faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur ‘Voir plus’.”

Paris, France | 12 November 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the recent series of brutal attacks, harassment, false cases, and arbitrary arrests of lawyers in Rangpur, Shariyatpur, Sherpur & Patuakhali including the attempted arrest of JMBF Secretary General and member of the Dhaka Bar Association, former Assistant Public Prosecutor of the 7th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court, Advocate Mohammad Alamgir, at his village home in Brahmanbaria on the night of 8 November.

JOINT STATEMENT: Crackdown Against the Independence of Lawyers in Bangladesh Under the Interim Government

Faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur « Plus » pour lire le communiqué complet en français.

France/ Belgium/ Poland/ Egypt/ Thailand/ Kazakhstan/ India; November 5, 2025: The JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), the National Bar Council (CNB), the International Observatory of Lawyers at Risk (OIAD), the Arrested Lawyers Initiative, the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP), the International Association of People’s Lawyers – Monitoring Committee on Attacks on Lawyers, the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), the Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), the 'NEVER AGAIN' Association, the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), the Public Association Dignity, the Programme Against Custodial Torture and Impunity (PACTI), the Solidarité Internationale LGBTQI (SIL) and the Families of the Disappeared (FOD) express grave concern over the contineous politically motivated repression against the independence of the legal community in Bangladesh under the current Interim Government.

JMBF Report 2025: Crackdown Against Independence of Lawyers in Bangladesh under Interim Government

Paris, October 30, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), with the technical support of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), today released its groundbreaking report,“JMBF Report 2025: Crackdown Against Independence of Lawyers in Bangladesh under the Interim Government (August 2024 – September 2025).”

PRESS RELEASE: JMBF Releases 2025 Report on Crackdown Against Independence of Lawyers in Bangladesh under the Interim Government

“বাংলা ভাষার সম্পূর্ণ সংবাদ বিজ্ঞপ্তি পড়ার জন্য নিচে স্ক্রল করে ‘More’ এ ক্লিক করুন।” « Faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur “More” pour lire le communiqué de presse complet en français. »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Paris, October 30, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), with the technical support of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), today released its groundbreaking report,“JMBF Report 2025: Crackdown Against Independence of Lawyers in Bangladesh under the Interim Government (August 2024 – September 2025).” 

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Violence and Arbitrary Arrests of the Hijra (Third Gender) Community in Chattogram and Narayanganj

“বাংলা ভাষার সম্পূর্ণ সংস্করণ দেখার জন্য, নিচে স্ক্রল করে ‘More’ এ ক্লিক করুন।” "Pour consulter les versions complètes en français, faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur ‘Voir plus’.”

Paris, France; 19 October 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses deep concern and strong condemnation over the brutal attacks and arbitrary arrests of members of the Hijra (third gender) community on 10 September in Boalkhali, Chattogram, and on 17 September in Rupganj, Narayanganj.

JMBF calls for the immediate arrest and exemplary punishment of the perpetrators, as well as the unconditional release of the arrested Hijras and the withdrawal of all false cases filed against them.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF expresses deep concern and strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of six lawyers in Naogaon and Dhaka.

“বাংলা ভাষার সম্পূর্ণ সংস্করণ দেখার জন্য, নিচে স্ক্রল করে ‘More’ এ ক্লিক করুন।” "Pour consulter les versions complètes en français, faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur ‘Voir plus’.”

Paris, France; 16 October 2025: Human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is strongly alarmed and condemns the recent arbitrary arrest, re-arrest, and imprisonment of six senior lawyers in Naogaon and Dhaka on false and fabricated charges filed under the July assassination attempt, Explosive Substances Act, and Anti-Terrorism Act, solely for conducting professional activities and for holding differing political opinions. JMBF also demands the immediate release of the arrested and detained lawyers and the unconditional withdrawal of all cases filed against them.

How the Yunus-Led Interim Government Has Turned Justice into a Tool of Political Repression in Bangladesh

By Advocate Shahanur Islam

I. The Criminalization of Law and Lawyers

It began, as so many stories of injustice do, with a courtroom and a promise of fairness that never came.

Instead of being released on bail granted by the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, on 4 September 2025, Khodadad Khan Pitu (60), former President of the Naogaon District Bar Association and President of the Human Rights Lawyers’ Forum, Naogaon, was re-arrested by Naogaon Sadar police from the gate of Naogaon District Jail. On 5 September, he was produced before the court in connection with a 2024 case filed over an incident in 2022 under the Explosive Substances Act, and the court ordered him sent to jail.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern Over Re-Arrest of 10 High Court-Bailed Lawyers at Jail Gate on Sabotage Charges in Barguna

“বাংলা ভাষার সম্পূর্ণ সংস্করণ দেখার জন্য, নিচে স্ক্রল করে ‘More’ এ ক্লিক করুন।” "Pour consulter les versions complètes en français, faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur ‘Voir plus’.”

Paris, France; 24 September 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep anger and condemnation over the re-arrest of 10 lawyers in Barguna who had secured bail from the High Court. On 15 September, just as they were about to be released, they were re-arrested at the jail gate on charges of sabotage and sent back to prison.

JMBF firmly believes that this incident constitutes a blatant violation of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and human rights in Bangladesh, and reflects clear political retaliation. Such actions not only undermine justice and democracy but also seriously threaten the safety and professional independence of lawyers, with a deeply negative impact on Bangladesh’s democratic system and human rights situation.