Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Politically Motivated Arbitrary Arrest and Detention of Several Lawyers in Bangladesh: Call for Immediate Unconditional Release

Paris, France; March 07, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, strongly condemns the recent wave of politically motivated arbitrary arrests and detention of several esteemed lawyers in Bangladesh, whose only "crime" is holding differing political beliefs and engaging in their professional duties. These actions, under the current Interim Government led by former Nobel Peace Prize laureate Prof. Muhammad Yunus, represent a stark violation of human rights, the principles of democracy, and the rule of law.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Gravely Concerned Over Mass Arrests of Opposition Political Activists in Operation Devil Hunt

Paris, France; February 15, 2025 – France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) unequivocally condemns the mass arrests of opposition political activists, particularly leaders, activists, and supporters of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliated wings. These arrests carried out without legal warrants, have led to grave human rights violations under Operation Devil Hunt, which began on February 12, 2025, in Bangladesh.

This operation, conducted by a joint force comprising the Bangladesh Army, Police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and even student groups allegedly involved in anti-discrimination efforts, has resulted in the arbitrary arrest of over 5,000 individuals without warrants or specific charges. Among those arrested are elderly individuals above 70 years of age, cancer patients, and women—many of whom are being targeted solely due to their political beliefs and affiliations with the Awami League and its associated organizations.

JMBF asserts that such a massive crackdown is being used as a tool to silence dissent and eliminate opposition voices. These politically motivated arrests violate fundamental human rights and undermine the principles of justice and due process.

Press and Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arbitrary Arrests of Six Lawyers in Different Parts of Bangladesh for Opposing Political Beliefs

Paris, France; February 10, 2025 – France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns and is deeply concerned over the recent wave of politically motivated arbitrary arrests of six lawyers in different parts of Bangladesh. These include Advocate Nurul Huda, Advocate Zahir Uddin, and Advocate Javed Hossain Monowar from the Lakshmipur Bar Association on February 3, 2025, and December 14, 2024; Advocate Aman Ullah Akash, President of the Jamalpur Bar Association on February 3, 2025; Advocate Rabiul Islam Robi from the Dhaka Bar Association on December 24, 2024; and Advocate Momtaz Uddin Mehdi, former Deputy Attorney General and Supreme Court Bar General Secretary on November 10, 2024. These arbitrary arrests represent a clear violation of fundamental rights and a direct attack on the independence of the legal profession, setting a dangerous precedent for the rule of law in Bangladesh.

JMBF asserts that the arrest and detention of these six lawyers have been carried out without due process, solely based on their professional and political engagements. Most of them have been implicated in cases where they were neither directly named in the First Information Report (FIR) nor had any evidence presented against them but were instead included in lists of unidentified suspects. In some cases, bail petitions were rejected outright, and they were sent to jail without any credible legal justification, reflecting an alarming pattern of judicial suppression aimed at silencing dissenting voices.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns and Protests the Recent Unjust Detention of Two Lesbian Women at Islamic University, Kushtia, on Allegations of Homosexuality

Paris, France; January 23, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), is deeply alarmed and outraged by the recent detention of two lesbian women at Khaleda Zia Hall of Islamic University (IU). Among the detained women, one student was forcefully expelled from the university residence hall, while another woman was handed over to the police solely because of their sexual orientation on January 21, 2025.

JMBF asserts that the actions taken by the hall authorities—including the unjust detention of these two women, the expulsion of a lesbian residential student based on allegations of homosexuality, and the handing over of an outsider to police custody—constitute a gross violation of human rights, blatant discrimination, and a disregard for the principles of justice and human dignity.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Unjust Imprisonment of Eight Lawyers in Khulna: Calls for Immediate Release & Dropping of Charges

Paris, France; January 17, 2025: The France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), is deeply concerned and strongly protests the politically motivated imprisonment of eight pro-Awami League lawyers, as well as the implication of 28 pro-Awami League lawyers of the Khulna District Lawyers' Association in false and fabricated cases by pro-BNP lawyers. On January 12, 2025, these legal professionals were unjustly detained following an order by Khulna Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Sharif Hossain Haider, in connection with a case that many believe to be fabricated and politically driven.

JMBF asserts that this incident is not just an attack on these individual lawyers—it is an assault on the fundamental principles of justice, legal independence, and democracy in Bangladesh. The use of the judiciary as a tool to silence political opposition is a deeply troubling sign of authoritarianism creeping into the legal system. The very professionals who uphold the law are now being victimized by the system they have sworn to serve.

JMBF urges the immediate release of all eight detained lawyers, as well as the dropping of charges against all 28 lawyers without conditions.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Grave Concern Over Harassment and Abuse of Minority Communities in Chittagong

Paris, France; December 30, 2024:  France-based human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over the widespread harassment, extortion, and abuse of power targeting vulnerable Hindu religious and Dalit minority communities in Chittagong. These actions, perpetrated by law enforcement under the guise of investigating the tragic murder of lawyer Saiful Islam (Alif) at the Chittagong court premises, reveal a lack of impartiality and fairness in the investigative process.  

JMBF strongly urges the government to ensure the safety, dignity, and protection of marginalized groups, including the Harijan community. The incidents of vandalism, harassment, and communal violence following the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam must be thoroughly investigated, and the perpetrators must be held accountable without delay.

STATEMENT: JMBF Deeply Concerned and Condemns the Arrest and Detention of Chinmoy Krishna Das: Urges Immediate Unconditional Release

Paris, France; November 26, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses its profound outrage and strongest condemnation of the unjust arrest and detention of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a revered Hindu priest and leading advocate for minority rights in Bangladesh.

His abrupt apprehension on November 25, 2024, at Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport in Dhaka and subsequent transfer to Chattogram under fabricated charges of sedition, represent yet another dark chapter in the systematic suppression of minority voices and democratic freedoms in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns the Arrests of Ansar Members and Calls for Peaceful Resolution

Paris, France; August 27, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern regarding the recent arrest of Ansar members during their demonstration advocating for job nationalization, following violent clashes with students, who are a key force in the current interim government in Bangladesh.

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns Baseless Murder Charges Against Journalists: Calls for Uphold Press Freedom in Bangladesh

Paris, France; August 26, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses grave concern and categorically condemns the baseless and politically motivated murder case filed against seven esteemed journalists, including Mozammel Haque Babu, Syed Ishtiaque Reza, Ahmed Jobaer, Munni Saha, Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, and Nayeemul Islam Khan, on August 22, 2024. The charges leveled against these journalists in connection with the tragic death of a student during the protests in Jatrabari on July 19, 2024, are not only absurd but also a grave injustice.

STATEMENT: JMBF Calls for Immediate Halt to the Arbitrary Mass Arrests and Unconditional Release of Arrested Protesters in Bangladesh

Paris, France; August 01, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned about the recent wave of arbitrary mass arrests and alleged acts of torture against Anti Quota Movement protesters, students, and members of opposition political parties in Bangladesh.

JMBF demands the immediate halt to the arbitrary mass arrests of protesters, students, and opposition party members, and calls for the unconditional release of all individuals detained for exercising their right to protest and political expression.

According to various news outlets in Bangladesh and internationally, JMBF has learned that, as of today, in consequence of the Anti Quota Movement protests since July 17, around 600 cases have been filed against protesters nationwide. Most of these cases were filed by the police, some by leaders of the Bangladesh Student League and Bangladesh Youth League, and a few by family members of victims.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Urges Immediate Release of Arrested Two Homosexual Youths in Chuadanga

Paris, France; June 28, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned over the recent arrest of two homosexual youths, Enayet Ullah and Sabuj Hossain, on charges of same-sex marriage by the Jibannagar police in Chuadanga on June 22, 2024. The France-based rights organization demands the immediate release of both youths, the dropping of all charges against them, and calls for steps to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.

According to news published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, JMBF has learned that on June 22, 2024, Saturday, at 12:30 pm, Enayet Ullah (25) and Sabuj Hossain (24) were arrested by the Jibannagar police on charges of same-sex marriage from Hariharnagar in the border union of Jibannagar upazila, Chuadanga. Enayet Ullah is the son of Abdul Majid of Harihannagar village, and Sabuj Hossain is the son of Alauddin of Kushadanga village of Swaruppur union in the neighboring Maheshpur upazila under Jhenaidah district.

Bangladesh: JMBF and SIL Express Strong Concern Over the Recent Arrest of Two Lesbian Individuals in Tangail

Paris, France; April 30, 2024: France-based rights organizations JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and Solidarity International LGBTQI (SIL) jointly express profound concern and outrage over the recent arrest of two lesbian individuals from Tangail, Bangladesh, on April 21, 2024, due to their sexual orientation and same-sex relationship.

JMBF and SIL believe the arrest of the two lesbian women, who wished to marry, is a grave violation of their fundamental human rights and dignity as declared in the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Statement: JMBF Condemns Detention of Lesbian Couple in Bagerhat, Bangladesh

Paris, France; March 16, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expressed profound concern regarding the recent detention of a married lesbian couple by the Mongla police station in Bargethat. The detention followed a homophobic local public protest against the couple's expression of their sexual orientation and their marriage on April 13, 2024.

The France-based rights organization is deeply troubled by the police's actions in detaining the couple for 24 hours solely because of their decision to marry as a same-sex couple. JMBF views this incident as a blatant violation of the couple's constitutional rights and their dignity.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arrest of Two Lesbian Girls in Satkhira

Paris, France; March 12, 2024: The France-based rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and outrage over the recent arrest of two lesbian individuals from Satkhira on January 04, 2024. These arrests, which occurred solely based on the girls' sexual orientation and their same-sex relationship, are a grave violation of their rights and dignity.

According to reports from various online newspapers in Bangladesh, the two lesbian teenagers were apprehended from the Brajabaksa area of Helatla Union in Kalaroa Upazila on January 4, 2024, by the members of the Kalaroa Police Station. One of the arrested girls is Mahima Khatun (17), daughter of Abdul Mannan from Idanpur village in the Doara Bazar police station of Sunamganj district, and the other is Rubina Khatun (18), daughter of Anisur Rahman from Brajbaksa village in Helatla Union of Kalaroa Upazila in Satkhira.

STATEMENT: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Condemns Arrest of Lesbian Individual in Dhaka

Paris, France; February 20, 2024: The France-based rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern and anger over the arrest of a sexual minority lesbian girl from Dhaka, who has been arrested and sent to jail custody on false and fabricated kidnapping charges in Barishal, solely because of her sexual orientation and same-sex relationship.

According to news published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, Mim Akhter, the daughter of Sahidul Islam from Bahadurpur village in Muladi upazila of Barisal, fell in love with Rober Liza, a jim trainer and a former cricket player of the National Women's Cricket Team of Bangladesh. Later, she divorced her husband, as she was forced into marriage by her parents about five years ago. On January 25, 2024, she finally ran away with her girlfriend, Rober Liza, for the third time after repeated attempts and married her. However, her girlfriend, Rober Liza, was arrested in the kidnapping case filed by her mother. Police arrested her girlfriend, Rober Liza, along with her from Dhaka on February 12, 2024.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Outrage over Arbitrary Arrests and Police Brutality against Pro BNP-Jamaat Lawyers in Bangladesh.

Paris, France: November 4, 2023 - JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) deeply expresses concern and outrage over the arbitrary arrests, fabrication of false cases, and the occurrence of police brutality against lawyers associated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh during peaceful demonstrations and protests in Dhaka and Faridpur.

France-based human rights organization, JMBF, calls for the identification of the accused through an impartial investigation led by a High Court Judge and the immediate, unconditional release of the arrested lawyers, along with the dropping of all charges against them.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Protests against the Arrest of a Hindu Woman in Bagerhat on Allegations of Insulting the Islamic religion

Paris, France; October 7, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and strong protest regarding the arrest of a Hindu minority woman on allegations of insulting the Islamic religion in Bagerhat, Bangladesh, on September 26, 2023. The human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), also calls for the immediate release of the arrested woman and the withdrawal of the false charges filed against her.

According to reliable sources, on September 24, 2023, in the Ramphal Union of Bagerhat district, a 45-year-old Hindu minority woman named Rupali Das was involved in a verbal altercation with an Islamic woman named Momena Begum when she went to fetch water at a tube well. Momena Begum, with malicious intent, accused Rupali Das of insulting Islam by using offensive language.

Press Statement: JusticeMakers Bangladesh Demands Immediate Release of Lawyer Kazi Rubayet Hasan Sayem

JusticeMakers Bangladesh, a prominent human rights organization, expresses deep concern and condemns the arrest of lawyer Kazi Rubayet Hasan Sayem under the draconian Digital Security Act 2018. The organization strongly urges the immediate release of Mr. Sayem and calls for the withdrawal of the fabricated charges against him without any preconditions.

According to information received from various news media, the victim's family, and reliable sources, it has been learned that Kazi Rubayet Hasan Sayem, a 46-year-old member of the Dhaka District Bar Association and former co-organizing secretary of Narayanganj Metropolitan BNP, was arrested on the night of March 24th, around 10 pm. He was apprehended by the Narayanganj District Detective Police (DB) on charges of using offensive language to abuse the mother of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh.

STATEMENT: JusticeMakers Bangladesh Urges Immidiate Release of Arrested Transgenders in Dhaka

The Bangladeshi human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh has expressed its grave concern about the arrest of four transgender women from a wedding ceremony in Dhaka on 17 January 2023.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh has also urged the concerned authority to immediately release arrested transgenders as well as drop the charge brought against them.