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

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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.

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.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned and Strongly Condemns the Imprisonment of 12 Pro-Awami Lawyers in Barguna

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Paris, France | 4 September 2025: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the rejection of bail petitions and the subsequent imprisonment of 12 pro-Awami League lawyers on 2 September 2025 in Barguna, carried out with the sole intention of obstructing the professional duties of lawyers through politically motivated actions.

JMBF firmly believes that this incident constitutes a clear violation of the Bangladesh Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, all of which guarantee the fundamental right of lawyers to professional independence. This development poses a grave threat to the rule of law, democracy, and national security in Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF expresses deep concern and strongly condemns recent attacks, arrests, and fabricated cases against 19 lawyers across various districts in the country.

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Paris, France | 02 September 2025: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound concern and strong condemnation of these incidents of escalating attacks, arrests, fabricated cases, and harassment of lawyers across several districts in Bangladesh, solely due to the mere fulfillment of professional duties and political beliefs.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Attack and Arbitrary Arrest of Former Minister, University Professor, Journalists, and Prominent Citizens at Discussion in Dhaka

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Paris, France; 29 August 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deepest concern and strongly condemns the violent attack and arbitrary arrest of former Minister and Member of Parliament Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman of Dhaka University’s Department of Law, along with journalist Monjurul Alam Panna and other eminent citizens, by anti-liberation fundamentalist miscreants on 28 August 2025. This occurred during the roundtable discussion titled “Our Great Liberation War and the Constitution of Bangladesh” organized by Manch 71 at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).

This attack was reportedly carried out with the direct backing of the current interim government. The participants were obstructed, handed over to the police, and later subjected to arbitrary arrest under false charges filed under the Anti-Terrorism Act before being sent to jail custody.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Arbitrary Arrest of 5 Lawyers and Fabricated Cases Against 12 in Barguna, Satkhira, Gazipur, Bogura, and Gopalganj

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Paris, France; 01 August 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses its deep concern and strong protest over the recent politically motivated and arbitrary arrests and detention of five respected lawyers, as well as the filing of false cases against twelve others in various districts of Bangladesh—namely Barguna, Satkhira, Gazipur, Bogura, and Gopalganj—solely for carrying out their professional duties and holding differing political opinions.

JMBF firmly believes that targeting lawyers solely because of their professional conduct or political beliefs constitutes a clear and blatant violation of the fundamental human rights enshrined by the United Nations.

BANGLADESH ALERT: Arrest of Former Chief Justice A. B. M. Khairul Haque — A Direct Blow to Judicial Independence

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Paris, France; July 25, 2025 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses deep concern and strong protest over the arrest of Bangladesh’s former Chief Justice A. B. M. Khairul Haque on July 24, 2025, from Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area, on charges related to a murder during last year’s July coup, and the absence of any legal representation on his behalf in court.

JMBF firmly believes that the filing of a politically motivated murder case and the arrest of a former Chief Justice—who solely performed his judicial duties per the Constitution—constitutes a blatant violation of judicial independence, fundamental principles of justice, and the rule of law.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Arbitrary Arrests of 5 Respected Lawyers in Naogaon, Rangpur, Patuakhali, Manikganj, and Moulvibazar; Demands Immediate Release!

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Paris, France; 22 July 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern over the recent arbitrary and unjust arrests of lawyers in Bangladesh. The growing trend of filing false cases, implicating lawyers in politically motivated charges, and denying them bail—leading to imprisonment—is a grave threat to professional independence. These actions constitute a clear violation of the Constitution of Bangladesh, international human rights laws, and the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

JMBF firmly believes that lawyers are fundamental pillars in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice in a democratic society.

State-Sponsored Massacre in Gopalganj: A Human Rights Catastrophe Behind the Mask of the Yunus Administration

By Advocate Shahanur Islam

July 16, 2025, will be remembered as another blood-stained black day in Bangladesh’s history. On this day, under the command of the interim government led by Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus—an administration that came to power promising rule of law, democracy, and human rights—the military, alongside the police, opened fire on unarmed civilians in Gopalganj. At least five people were killed and over a hundred injured, with many still reported missing.

They did not stop with the killings and injuries; rather, they snatched the fundamental rights of Gopalganj’s people by imposing a curfew since the day of the violence.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Repressive Cases Against 55 Senior Lawyers of Gazipur District Bar, Imprisonment of Two Seniors, and Interference with Professional Independence

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Paris, France; July 1, 2025: The France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is deeply concerned and alarmed that at least 55 experienced and senior lawyers of the Gazipur District Bar have faced more than 70 cases filed from August 2024 to June 2025. These cases arose in the context of student and mass movements during July-August 2024, accusing them of “murder,” “terrorism,” and “anti-state activities.”

Most of the accused have long held leadership roles within the Gazipur District Bar, serving as important pillars of the judicial system and performing their professional duties with honor.

BANGLADESH: Call for Immediate Release of Unlawful, Politically Motivated Arrests of Senior Lawyer Rezaul Karim & Zahurul Islam Selim in Cumilla

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Paris, France | 10 June 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses deep concern over the alarming trend of politically motivated and unlawful arrests of lawyers in Bangladesh under the current interim government led by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. These arrests target legal professionals for simply fulfilling their duties and expressing differing political views—an egregious violation of professional rights and a grave threat to judicial independence, the rule of law, and fundamental human rights.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Condemns Arrest of Two Senior Lawyers in Jhenaidah and Kurigram; Demands Immediate and Unconditional Release

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Paris, France; June 3, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the arrest of two prominent senior lawyers from the District Bar Associations of Jhenaidah and Kurigram—Advocate Bikash Kumar Ghosh and Advocate Amjad Hossain. The arrests are widely viewed as repressive, politically motivated, and acts of vengeance, carried out solely because the lawyers were performing their professional duties and exercising their right to freedom of political expression.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Strongly Condemns Unlawful Arrest of Two Former Presidents of Gaibandha District Bar, Demands Immediate Release

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Paris, France | 30 May 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the arbitrary arrest of Advocate Ahsanul Karim Lachu, former President and General Secretary of the Gaibandha District Bar Association, on 29 May, and Advocate Faruk Ahmed Prince, former President and Public Prosecutor (PP), on 9 May. Both were detained in connection with vandalism cases related to incidents at the BNP office in July and August 2024. These arrests appear to have been made solely due to the lawyers' professional responsibilities and differing political opinions.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arrests & Sentencing of Lawyers in Meherpur, Jhalokathi, Bogura & Natore

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Paris, France; 22 May 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, has expressed strong outrage and deep concern over the recent sentencing of senior and ailing lawyer Advocate Alek Uddin Sheikh in the courtroom on 9 May in Natore for alleged "commotion"; arrest of Advocate Md. Abdus Salam of the Meherpur District Bar without a warrant on the night of 12 April; the imprisonment of former Public Prosecutor (PP) and Jhalokathi District Bar Association President Abdul Mannan Rasul upon surrendering for bail as per a High Court directive on 16 March 2025; and the denial of bail and imprisonment of former Special PP Ashakur Rahman Sujon by the Bogura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal on 20 October 2024—solely due to their professional duties and differing political beliefs.