Bangladesh Rights Abuses Raised at UN: JMBF President Meets OHCHR and Special Rapporteur in Geneva

“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’.”

Geneva, Switzerland; October 2, 2025: The worsening human rights situation in Bangladesh has been brought before top UN officials in Geneva, as Advocate Shahanur Islam, President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), held bilateral meeting with senior representatives of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers.

JMBF Quarterly eNewsletter: July-September 2025

As we conclude the third quarter (July to September) of 2025, we are inspired by what has been achieved and energised by what lies ahead. This year began with a clear intention: to embrace new challenges, set bold goals, and recommit to sustainable progress. In just a few months, that vision has already taken root, fuelled by the passion of partners, volunteers, and everyday changemakers.

Their dedication reminds us that true impact is not only about scale, but about depth, connection, and consistency. The stories, reports, and actions highlighted in this edition are a testament to that spirit of resilience and solidarity. Looking forward, we are preparing to launch new initiatives—rooted in innovation, equity, and empowerment—that will expand access, strengthen partnerships, and uplift unheard voices.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Strong Protest Over the Death of Awami League Leader in Gaibandha Jail Due to Torture and Medical Negligence

“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; 23 September 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern over the death of Abu Bakkar Siddiq Munna, former Vice-President and former Chairman of Kanchipara Union, Fulchhari Upazila, Awami League, allegedly due to torture and medical negligence while in Gaibandha District Jail in the early morning of 22 September 2025.

JMBF firmly believes that this planned killing, carried out through politically motivated torture and denial of medical care, constitutes a gross violation of fundamental human rights as enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh and international human rights declarations.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF deeply concerns over extremist mob attacks, vandalism, and arson on four shrines & physical assault of khadems of a manzil in Comilla & Gazipur.

“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; September 19, 2025: The Paris-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and condemnation over the recent incidents of religious extremist mob attacks, vandalism, and burning of shrines, as well as the physical assault of a khadem in Comilla and Gazipur on September 18 and 5, 2025, respectively.

These incidents included attacks, destruction, and arson of four mazars (shrines) in Comilla, and the physical assault of a khadem at a manzil (religious establishment) in Gazipur, alongside inflammatory religious posts on social media inciting extremist mob violence, which resulted in the vandalism and arson of the manzil.

BANGLADESH ALERT: Deaths of Two Detainees in Sylhet and Moulvibazar Custody of RAB and PBI – JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Strong Condemnation

“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; September 17,  2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation over the deaths of two detainees in the custody of law enforcement agencies in Sylhet and Moulvibazar on 14 and 15 September 2025.

JMBF firmly believes that the deaths of these detainees in the custody of specialized units, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), are not only a threat to the rule of law and the judicial system in Bangladesh, but also constitute a gross violation of the Bangladesh Constitution and fundamental human rights as enshrined by the United Nations. These incidents pose a serious threat to Bangladesh’s international human rights commitments.

URGENT APPEAL: JMBF’s Call on the Occasion of the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights Delegation Visit to Bangladesh

To read the Bengali and French versions, please scroll down.

Honorable Members,

Greetings from JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based independent, non-profit, and non-political human rights organization, established under the framework of the United Nations Human Rights Charter (Bill of Rights).

On the occasion of your visit to Bangladesh from 16 to 18 September 2025, JMBF expresses deep concern over the extremely serious violations and deterioration of law and order, economic conditions, and human rights under the interim government of Bangladesh, currently led by Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Calls for the Withdrawal of the Death Penalty Provision in the Proposed Anti-Enforced Disappearance Law

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Paris, France; 10 September 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over the incorporation of the death penalty as the maximum punishment in the proposed Anti-Enforced Disappearance Law, approved by the Interim Government of Bangladesh Advisory Council in its meeting on 28 August 2025, which is clearly contrary to fundamental human rights principles.

While strict legislation is necessary to prevent serious crimes such as enforced disappearances, JMBF firmly believes that the death penalty is never justifiable under any justice system. Capital punishment stands in direct contradiction to the principles of human rights, the right to life, and justice. It allows no scope for remedy and, in cases of wrongful conviction, causes irreparable harm.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Condemns Brutal Attack on Shrine in Goalanda, Rajbari, and Exhumation of Dead Body by Public Burning

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Paris, France; 06 September 2025: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation of the heinous act of brutal attack, arson, and vandalism of the shrine (Darbār Sharif) and Nurul Haque’s home, as well as the exhumation and public burning of his body. This attack was carried out by an Islamist extremist group yesterday, on 05 September 2025, in Goalanda, Rajbari.

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 Deeply Concerned and Strongly Condemns the Killing of One Worker and Injuries to Over Fifty by Police-Military Firing at Uttara EPZ, Nilphamari

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Paris, France | 3 September 2025: The France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation over the killing of one worker and injuries to over fifty others by police and military personnel shooting during the worker protest at Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Nilphamari on 2 September 2025.

JMBF firmly believes that the shooting of one worker and the wounding of over fifty others during the Uttara EPZ protest represent a severe violation of labor rights and human rights in Bangladesh. Continued use of such repressive measures will not only deny workers their legitimate rights but will also further deteriorate the overall human rights situation in Bangladesh and severely damage the country’s international reputation.

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 Killing of Bangladeshi Citizen at Kanaighat Border by BSF

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Paris, France | September 01, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation over the killing of 25-year-old Bangladeshi citizen Abdur Rahman by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Dona border, Kanaighat Upazila, Sylhet. Several others were reportedly injured in the incident.

According to local sources, on 29 August 2025, Abdur Rahman, son of Khalilur Rahman from Atgram Barochatal (Bakuri) village, was shot dead by the BSF at the border. Despite repeated assurances from India to prevent cross-border killings, BSF continues to fire indiscriminately, targeting Bangladeshi citizens. JMBF considers this a clear case of extrajudicial killing and a serious violation of international human rights law.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Brutal Police and Military Crackdown on Engineering Students and Ganadhikar Parishad Leaders in Dhaka

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Paris, France | 31 August 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses deep concern and strong condemnation over the horrific violence perpetrated by police and military forces against peaceful protests by engineering students and leaders of the Ganadhikar Parishad in Dhaka on 27 and 29 August 2025.

JMBF firmly believes that the barbaric attacks on engineering students and Ganadhikar Parishad leaders constitute a clear violation of Article 35(5) of the Constitution of Bangladesh and the fundamental human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

JMBF Statement on the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2025

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Paris, France; 30 August 2025: Today, 30 August, marks the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2025. On this day, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) solemnly commemorates all victims of enforced disappearances and abductions in Bangladesh and across the world, paying the deepest respect and sympathy to them and their families.

In Bangladesh, enforced disappearance has remained a grim reality for many years. Over the past decade and a half, numerous political activists, students, youths, and ordinary citizens have fallen victim to enforced disappearance. Families of the disappeared continue to endure unbearable pain and uncertainty in the absence of their loved ones. This culture of disappearance is not only a grave violation of human rights but also a serious threat to democracy and the rule of law.

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 expresses deep concern over the mysterious death of journalist Bibhoranjan Sarkar and ongoing repression of journalists

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Paris, France; 28 August 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound grief and outrage at the tragic death of veteran journalist and columnist Bibhoranjan Sarkar. After being missing since 21 August, his body was recovered on 22 August from the Meghna River in Munshiganj. JMBF firmly believes that this shocking incident once again exposes the vulnerable condition of journalists and the multiple forms of repression they face in Bangladesh.

JMBF, with deep concern, recalls that before his death Mr. Sarkar, in his “Open Letter,” explicitly highlighted the financial hardship of journalists, the lack of fair wages, professional humiliation, and constant pressure from the authorities. His last words reflect that journalism in Bangladesh today is not only subjected to financial disparity and exploitation but also chained under severe state and political repression.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF strongly condemns and protests the vandalism of the food cart and threats against sexual minority intersex woman Jannatul Nayeem Pori in Dhaka

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Paris, France; August 27, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern, strong condemnation, and outrage over the incidents of vandalism, destruction of a food cart, and threats made by local influential individuals against sexual minority intersex woman Shawon Islam, also known as Jannatul Nayeem Pori, in Uttara, Dhaka, on August 17 and 18, 2025.

At the same time, the France-based human rights organization JMBF has strongly urged the immediate arrest of those involved, the filing of cases under existing laws, and the swift and transparent trial of the perpetrators to ensure exemplary punishment.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned and Strongly Condemns the Death of Durjoy Chowdhury in Police Custody at Chakaria Police Station, Cox’s Bazar

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Paris, France; 23 August 2025: France-based human rights organization Justicemakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)expresses deep concern and strong condemnation over the mysterious death of young government employee Durjoy Chowdhury (27) in police custody at Chakaria Police Station, Cox’s Bazar, in the early hours of Friday, 22 August 2025.

JMBF firmly believes that this death is the result of planned custodial torture and extrajudicial killing, which was subsequently staged as a case of suicide. This represents a gross violation of human rights and a stark example of state terrorism.

JMBF Leaders Raise Alarming Concerns over Violence against LGBTQI+ People in Bangladesh at International Conference in France

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Paris, France; August 22, 2025: Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), and Advocate Mohammad Alamgir, Secretary General of JMBF, joined the 2025 Euro-Mediterranean Summer Universities of Homosexualities (UEEH), held from August 10 to 21, 2025, in Vic-en-Bigorre, France.

UEEH, first launched in 1979, is one of the world’s longest-standing international initiatives created entirely by and for LGBTQIA+ communities. Unlike conventional conferences, it functions as a self-organized grassroots gathering, where participants live and work together in a setting rooted in solidarity, inclusivity, and mutual respect. Over the years, it has become a vital platform for knowledge exchange, activism, and community building across Europe, the Mediterranean, and beyond.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF expresses deep concern and outrage over the lifetime expulsion of transgender female student Sahara Chowdhury from Sylhet Metropolitan University

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Paris, France; 20 August 2025 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern, anger, and strong protest over the lifetime expulsion of transgender female student Safwan Chowdhury Rebel, also known as Sahara Chowdhury, from Sylhet Metropolitan University on 10 August. The expulsion was carried out under pressure from organized groups solely on the basis of her gender identity and sexual orientation, without any specific reason being provided.

JMBF believes that this decision is not only unjust and discriminatory, but also contrary to the Constitution of Bangladesh, existing laws, international human rights treaties, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Depriving a student of the right to education based on gender identity or sexual orientation constitutes a violation of fundamental rights.