Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Attack on Former Law Minister and Senior Advocate Anisul Huq at Narayanganj Court

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Paris, France; April 29, 2025: France-based human rights watchdog, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses its strongest condemnation and deepest outrage over the reprehensible assault on former Law Minister and senior lawyer Advocate Anisul Huq at the entrance of the Narayanganj court premises on April 28, 2025.

JMBF asserts that this shameful and violent act — carried out in broad daylight by a section of lawyers, individuals who are themselves, officers of the court — is an attack not only on Advocate Anisul Huq personally but also on the very principles of justice, rule of law, and judicial independence that underpin a democratic society. The courtroom and its surroundings are sacred spaces for the administration of justice, where violence and intimidation must have no place under any circumstances.

Pourquoi le gouvernement Yunus au Bangladesh cible-t-il systématiquement et brutalement les avocats?

Par l’Avocat Shahanur Islam

Dans une initiative sans précédent et profondément alarmante, le gouvernement intérimaire du Bangladesh, dirigé par l’ancien lauréat du prix Nobel de la paix, le Professeur Muhammad Yunus, a lancé une campagne systémique visant directement la communauté juridique du pays. Selon les documents de JusticeMakers Bangladesh en France (JMBF), depuis son arrivée au pouvoir en août 2024, l’administration Yunus a orchestré une série inquiétante d’arrestations politiquement motivées, de charges fabriquées, de meurtres, de prises de contrôle forcées du Barreau du Bangladesh et d’autres associations de barreaux de districts, ainsi que d’attaques physiques ciblant les avocats. 

Plus de 391 professionnels du droit font actuellement face à de fausses accusations telles que des meurtres et des explosions d’explosifs. Plus de 131 ont déjà été arrêtés, certains détenus sans aucune inculpation, uniquement pour leurs activités professionnelles et leurs opinions politiques, tandis que beaucoup d’autres ont été victimes d’abus, de menaces et de harcèlement. Ce à quoi nous assistons n’est pas une série d’incidents isolés, mais une attaque délibérée et orchestrée contre l’état de droit et l’indépendance même du système judiciaire du Bangladesh.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arrest and Torture of Female Barrister Turin Afroz Solely for Her Role as a Prosecutor at the International Crimes Tribunal.

Paris, France | April 10, 2025: France-based human rights watchdog, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses its strongest condemnation and protest against the arbitrary arrest and inhumane treatment of Barrister Turin Afroz, former prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) in Bangladesh, who was detained from her residence in Dhaka on the night of April 7, 2025, and subjected to gross physical assault by unidentified perpetrators in August 2024.

JMBF asserts that these actions represent a direct attack on her personal dignity, safety, and most alarmingly, her independence as a legal professional engaged in upholding justice for the victims of the 1971 Liberation War.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Recent Attacks on Defense Lawyers in Jamalpur Solely for Performing Their Professional Duty

Paris, France – March 12, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns the brutal attack on defense lawyers in Jamalpur, Bangladesh, on March 10, 2025, solely for performing their professional duty as legal representatives of the accused. This violent incident, which left three lawyers—Advocate Khalilur Rahman, Jamalpur Bar Association Vice President Advocate Abdul Awal, and Advocate Shahjahan Ali—seriously injured, is an alarming assault on the fundamental principles of justice, the independence of the legal profession, and the rule of law. Such actions not only violate the rights of the lawyers involved but also pose a direct threat to the fair trial rights of all individuals, undermining the legal system as a whole.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Police Torture of Peaceful Demonstrators in Dhaka – A Call for Justice and Accountability

Paris, France | February 12, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the brutal and unjustified use of force by law enforcement authorities against peaceful demonstrators in Dhaka on February 9 and 10, 2025. The violent torture inflicted through baton charges on students of the Medical Assistant Training School (MATS) and registered teachers, including a journalist, are clear violations of fundamental human rights and democratic freedoms, as enshrined in both national and international law.

JMBF demands an independent, impartial judicial investigation into the police brutality against peaceful demonstrators. All officers responsible for the excessive use of force must be held accountable under domestic and international legal frameworks.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Communal Violence in Bangladesh and Protests Against Government Denial

Paris, France: February 5, 2025: The France-based legal and human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns the alarming rise in communal violence targeting religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh between August 21, 2024, and December 31, 2024. According to credible reports from the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, 174 incidents of violence occurred during this period, resulting in the tragic deaths of 23 individuals from minority communities. These atrocities included 9 horrific cases of torture, rape, and gang rape of women, attacks on 64 places of worship, the destruction and looting of 38 homes and businesses, and the forcible occupation of 25 properties. Additionally, 15 individuals were arrested and tortured on baseless allegations of insulting religion.

JMBF asserts that such systematic violence against minority communities is a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and an assault on the principles of justice, equality, and religious freedom. It is deeply disturbing that, instead of addressing these grave issues, the interim government of Bangladesh, through the Chief Advisor's Press Wing, has chosen to deny and dismiss these incidents as mere political propaganda.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Forceful Withdrawal of Candidature in District Advocate Bar Association Election 2025 in Naogaon and Sirajganj

Paris, France; January 30, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the recent violent and unlawful actions that have taken place in the relation of District Advocate Bar Association Executive Body Elections, held on January 30, 2025, across various regions of Bangladesh, including Naogaon, Sirajganj, and Rajbari.

The incidents on January 25 & 24, 2025, in Naogaon, January 16, 2025, in Sirajganj, and January 29, 2025, in Rajbari, where members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and political figures affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Amar Bangla (AB) Party forced the withdrawal of independent and Coordinated Lawyer Council candidates backed by the Bangladesh Awami League for the District Advocate Bar Association Executive Body Election 2025 through physical assault, harassment, coercion, threats of violence, and intimidation, represent a gross violation of human rights. These actions are a direct attack on the very principles of justice, rule of law, and democracy.

JMBF calls on the Bangladesh Government to take immediate and decisive action to hold the perpetrators accountable, cancel these one-sided elections, and reschedule the date for the District Advocate Bar Association Election. Additionally, JMBF demands that the government ensure the safety of all candidates and lawyers involved in these elections and guarantee that these violent acts never again threaten the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Physical Assault on Lawyer During Court Hearing of Former Minister Amir Hossain

Paris, France; November 07, 2024:JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the violent physical assault on Advocate Swapan Krishna Roy Chowdhury on 7 November 2024, during the remand hearing of former minister and Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu. This act, committed in the presence of a magistrate at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, undermines not only the safety and independence of legal professionals but also threatens the foundational right to a fair trial.

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns Arbitrary Arrest and Inhumane Treatment of Barrister Syedul Haque Sumon, Calls for Immediate Release and Investigation

Paris, France; October 22, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and degrading treatment of Barrister Syed Syedul Haque Sumon, a former Member of Parliament, renowned social worker, anti-corruption activist, and lawyer, who was detained by police in the early hours of October 22, 2024, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. His arrest, on questionable charges related to the anti-discrimination student movement, along with his inhumane treatment while in custody, represents a grave violation of national and international human rights standards.

STATEMENT:JMBF Expresses Deep Concern Over Escalating Violence Against LGBTQI+ Members in Bangladesh

Paris, France; September 16, 2024: Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound concern and condemnation regarding the recent wave of violence, harassment, and looting targeting LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex) members across various parts of Bangladesh. Following the fall of the Awami League government and under the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Islamist fundamentalist groups have intensified their violent and inhumane acts against sexual minorities, violating their fundamental human rights.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Deeply Concerned and Protests Over the Killing of Six Individuals, Including Three Students, During Nationwide Student Protests Against Quota System

Paris, France; July 17, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound grief and deep concern over the tragic killings of at least six people, including three students, and the injury of several hundred others during violent clashes between quota protesters, Chhatra League (BCL) activists, and police on July 16, 2024, in Bangladesh.

France-based human rights organization committed to justice, human rights, and the rule of law, JMBF condemns the excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies and the violent actions perpetrated by the Chhatra League. The right to peaceful assembly and protest is a fundamental democratic principle, and it is distressing to witness the brutal suppression of these rights.