Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Ban on the Bangladesh Awami League and Its Affiliates

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Paris, France | May 12, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses its strongest condemnation of the interim government's decision to ban all activities of the Bangladesh Awami League—Bangladesh’s largest democratic political party—and its affiliated organizations and supporters. This decision, made under the guise of national security, is a dangerous and unconstitutional measure that flagrantly violates the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Bangladesh and contradicts international human rights norms.

Is the Country Heading Towards Consolidation of Power by Anti-Liberation Islamist Fundamentalist Forces?

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Advocate Shahanur Islam

Bangladesh stands today at a critical juncture of political confrontation. Recently, the blockade program organized by the NCP (Nationalist Citizens’ Platform) in Dhaka’s Shahbagh has rekindled political uncertainty and security concerns. The open participation of anti-liberation and extremist Islamist fundamentalist groups in this movement indicates that this is not an isolated political incident but rather the result of a well-planned and coordinated subversive operation.

Is Love a Crime? State Indifference and the Persecution of Lesbian Women – A Bangladeshi Reality

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Advocate Shahanur Islam

On April 26, 2025, in Faridganj, Chandpur, two teenage girls—Arohi and Ritu—expressed their mutual love and attempted to ‘marry’ each other on their own initiative. That was their "crime." In the eyes of society, their families, and even the state, their relationship was seen as illegal, immoral, and perverse. As a result, instead of validating their love, they were subjected to persecution. 

Pressured by local Islamic fundamentalist groups, their families handed them over to the police. The police, instead of fulfilling their social and legal duties, merely warned them strictly to ensure such an incident would not happen again and returned them to their families the next day—essentially allowing society and religious groups to take over the ‘responsibility’ of correcting them. The state, in this instance, remained a silent spectator, and law enforcement effectively became complicit in the persecution. This reflects the longstanding oppression and state indifference faced by lesbian women in Bangladesh.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Physical Assault, Arbitrary Arrest, and Detention of Three Lawyers in Netrakona and Feni

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Paris, France; May 7, 2025 — France-based human rights watchdog, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses grave concern and unequivocal condemnation over the recent incidents involving the physical assault, arbitrary arrest, and custodial detention of three Bangladeshi lawyers: Advocate Sanjit Kumar Pandit in Netrakona on May 2, and Advocates Shahjahan Saju and Nasir Uddin Bahar in Feni on May 5 and 6, respectively.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Deeply Concerned and Condemns the Brutal Killing of Unarmed Bangladeshi Youth by Indian Border Security Force (BSF)

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Paris, France; May 06, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), unequivocally condemns and protests the brutal killing of Md. Sakib (18), a Bangladeshi unarmed youth, was shot and killed by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on the night of May 4, 2025, at the Madla border area in Kasba upazila, Brahmanbaria. This tragic event, where an innocent life was senselessly taken, constitutes a gross violation of human rights and international law. We demand immediate justice, an independent and transparent investigation, and accountability for all those involved in this horrific incident.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Politically Motivated Case Against 20 Eminent Lawyers and Former Justice of the Bangladesh Supreme Court

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Paris, France | May 5, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights and legal advocacy organization, expresses its deep concern and unequivocal condemnation over the politically motivated and fabricated murder case filed on April 20, 2025, against twenty lawyers, including a former Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik. The case implicates a total of 408 individuals—among them journalists, artists, government officials, teachers, and politicians—accused in connection with the death of Mahfuz Alam Srabon, a BNP activist, during the July Mass Uprising in Mirpur, Dhaka.

International Conference on Lawyers’ Commitment to LGBTQI+ Rights, Paris

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On May 13, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, the auditorium of the French National Bar Council (Conseil National des barreaux) in Paris will host a conference dedicated to the commitment of lawyers in defending the rights of LGBT+ individuals. Jointly organized by Stop Homophobie and JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), this event will highlight the crucial role lawyers play, both in France and internationally, in combating discrimination and anti-LGBT+ violence.

JMBF Press & Public Statement on World Press Freedom Day 2025

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Paris, France; May 3, 2025: Today on World Press Freedom Day, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its grave concern over the accelerating repression of press freedom in Bangladesh. As the international community commemorates this day and reflects on the essential role of a free press in sustaining democracy, transparency, and justice, Bangladesh is enduring one of its most alarming and oppressive periods for independent journalism.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Condemns Politically Motivated Assault and Arrest of Actor Siddiqur Rahman and Fabricated Charges Against 32 Artists

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Paris, France | May 2, 2025: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the politically motivated physical assault and subsequent arrest of renowned actor Siddiqur Rahman, who was brutally attacked by members of Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on April 29, 2025.

In addition, fabricated charges filed in three separate cases on April 30, April 28, and April 20 against 32 other prominent actors represent a broader, orchestrated campaign to silence dissent and suppress artistic and political expression in Bangladesh.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Police Handing Over of Two Lesbian Teenagers in Chandpur, Bangladesh

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Paris, France – May 1, 2025: France-based human rights watchdog, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses its strongest condemnation and deep concern over the recent incident in which two lesbian teenagers—Arohi (19) and Ritu (17)—were forcibly separated and handed over to police in Faridganj, Chandpur on April 26, 2025, under pressure from local religious extremists.

JMBF Raises Alarm Over Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh During Meeting with French Foreign Ministry

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Paris, France | April 30, 2025 — ​JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a Paris-based human rights organization, has expressed serious concerns over the escalating human rights crisis in Bangladesh during a bilateral meeting with the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.​

On April 29, 2025, Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder-President of JMBF, met in Paris with Madame Marjorie Verley, Deputy Head of the South Asia Division and Head of the Bangladesh Desk at the French Foreign Ministry. The meeting focused on what JMBF described as a pattern of "widespread and systematic repression" under the country's interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.​

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Dismissal of Journalists in Bangladesh for Questioning Cultural Affairs Adviser: Calls for Immediate Reinstatement and Protection of Press Freedom

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Paris, France | April 30, 2025 — France-based human rights watchdog, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns the arbitrary dismissal of three journalists—Mizanur Rahman (Deepto TV), Fazle Rabbi(ATN Bangla), and Rafiqul Bashar (Channel i)—following their professional conduct in questioning Bangladesh’s Cultural Affairs Adviser, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, during a press conference held on April 28, 2025.

The subsequent suspension of news broadcasts by Deepto TV and punitive actions taken by three major television networks, apparently under pressure from online threats issued by a group identifying as the July Revolutionary Alliance (JRA), represents a grave attack on press freedom, democratic accountability, and the fundamental human rights guaranteed under Bangladesh’s Constitution and international law.