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

To read the Bengali and French versions, please scroll down and click ‘More’

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.

JMBF Hosts International Conference on Lawyers Committed to LGBTQI+ Rights in Paris

To read the Bengali and French versions, scroll below.

Paris, May 14, 2025 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), in collaboration with the French organization Stop Homophobie, hosted the International Conference on Lawyers Committed to LGBTQI+ Rights at the prestigious auditorium of the French National Bar Council (Conseil National des barreaux) in Paris on May 13, 2025. The event underscored the essential role of legal professionals—both in France and globally—in defending LGBTQI+ rights and combating discrimination.

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

"Veuillez lire la version française ci-dessous."

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 Founder Advocate Shahanur Islam Attends IGLYO’s 40th Anniversary Members' General Assembly 2024 in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), recently joined LGBTQI+ youth advocates from across Europe to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the International LGBTQI+ Youth and Student Organisation (IGLYO). This milestone Members' General Assembly, held from October 24 to 27, 2024, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, commemorated four decades of IGLYO’s dedication to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering environment for LGBTQI+ youth across Europe and beyond.

JMBF Founder Shahanur Presents Paper on LGBTQI+ Challenges in Bangladesh in Vienna, Austria

Advocate Shahanur Islam, the founder of the Justice Makers Bangladesh Foundation (JMBF), presented a pivotal paper titled "Mapping LGBTQI+ Challenges in Bangladesh: A Media Analysis 2023" at the 6th World Conference on Social Sciences Studies (#3SCONF). The conference, held from June 20-22, 2024, in Vienna, Austria, brought together leading scholars, activists, and practitioners to discuss pressing social science issues.

Islam’s presentation highlighted the systematic monitoring and analysis of media portrayals and coverage of LGBTQI+ issues in Bangladesh throughout 2023. The paper underscored the significant challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community in a socio-political landscape marked by conservative attitudes and legal constraints.

JMBF Founder Shahanur Islam Speaks at Geneva Event on Gender, Justice, and Refugee Law

Advocate Shahanur Islam, the founder and president of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), delivered a compelling speech today at the 2024 NGO Consultations Side Event titled "Gender, Justice, and the Law: Legal and Practical Challenges for Refugees," held at the Geneva International Conference Centre on 10 June 2024. The event focused on the critical issue of access to legal services for women, girls, and LGBTQI+ refugees.

This side event was organized by PILnet, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), St. Andrews Refugee Service (StARS), and members of the legal community. It aimed to share knowledge and best practices on addressing the legal and practical challenges faced by refugees, particularly in the context of gender justice.

JMBF Attends International Conference on Combatting LGBTphobia in Paris

Paris, May 18, 2024- On May 17, 2024, the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs hosted a significant conference dedicated to advancing the rights and protections for LGBT+ individuals globally. The International Day Against LGBTphobia conference, held at the Quai d’Orsay, attracted a diverse array of human rights advocates and legal experts who addressed the urgent need for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality.

Among the notable attendees was Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder and President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). Islam, a prominent figure in the fight for LGBT+ rights in Bangladesh, contributed significantly to the discussions at the conference.

JMBF and SIL Join Forces at Salon De Association LGBT+ in Paris, France

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and Solidarity International LGBTQI (SIL) recently collaborated to participate in the Salon De Association LGBT+ organized by the Inter LGBT in Paris, France, on April 7 and 8, 2024.

Representatives including Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF, Robert Simon, President of SIL, WHITNEY ANTHONY, and Hervé CALDO, Board member of SIL, were present at the event on behalf of their respective organizations amongst others.

The highlight of their joint participation was the establishment of an information booth, where JMBF and SIL showcased an array of educational materials, informational resources, and communication tools. This booth served as a hub for engaging with attendees, disseminating crucial information, and fostering dialogue on LGBTQI rights, activism, and advocacy efforts.

Human Rights Lawyer Addresses LGBTQI+ Violence in Bangladesh at International Conference in Paris

In a stirring address at the International Conference on Persecution of LGBT+ people held at Gaîté Lyrique, Paris, Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi Human Rights lawyer and Founder President of JusticeMaker Bangladesh in France (JMBF), shed light on the harrowing reality faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh. 

The conference, jointly organized by esteemed organizations including the Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality (ADUH), ILGA World, Egides, Stop Homophobia, and LGBT International Solidarity on 6th February 2024, provided a platform for advocates and activists to discuss and address the global panorama of violence against the LGBTQI+ community.

Shahanur Islam's presentation delved into the findings of a media monitoring report on violence against LGBTQI+ people in Bangladesh throughout 2022, painting a stark picture of the challenges faced by this marginalized community. According to the report, a total of 204 LGBTQI+ individuals were subjected to significant violence across 51 incidents, ranging from killings and physical assaults to psychological abuse, attempted suicides, and various forms of harassment and extortion.

JMBF Participates in UNESCO's 75th Anniversary Commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) actively participated in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, organized by UNESCO in collaboration with the Permanent Representation of the European Union on December 11, 2023. The event served as a momentous occasion to reaffirm the global commitment to human rights and their crucial role in UNESCO's mission encompassing education, science, culture, and communication.

Focusing on UNESCO's Global Priorities—Africa and Gender Equality—the commemoration provided a platform for diverse perspectives, addressing the connections, challenges, and opportunities for impactful action in the realm of human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on December 10, 1948, continues to be hailed as "the common standard of achievement for all people and all nations."

JMBF Participates in the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

In a world grappling with challenges to human rights, France hosted a pivotal conference at the iconic Palais de Chaillot in Paris on December 10, 2023, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The event, organized by the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Minister of Justice, aimed to rekindle dialogue, foster international cooperation, and reaffirm the timeless importance of the Declaration as a foundation for fundamental rights and liberties.

The conference, titled "75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Defending the Rights of Everyone, Everywhere," was concluded by a powerful speech from the President of the Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron. The gathering served as a platform to address contemporary challenges to human rights and underline the universal and indivisible nature of these rights.

The event comprised three insightful round table discussions, exploring crucial themes: supporting and protecting human rights defenders, the new frontiers for rights, and fighting impunity everywhere.

Founder President of JMBF, Shahanur Islam, Presents Paper on LGBTQI+ Rights at International Conference in Berlin

Shahanur Islam, the esteemed Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), showcased his groundbreaking research on the plight of LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh at the prestigious International Conference on LGBT Studies. The event, held in Berlin, Germany from December 7th to 9th, 2023, provided a platform for scholars, activists, and advocates to address crucial issues facing the LGBTQI+ community worldwide.

Islam's paper shed light on the pervasive violence experienced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh, delving into the socio-cultural factors contributing to their marginalization and discrimination. His research not only highlighted the challenges faced by this community but also proposed actionable strategies for promoting inclusivity and fostering acceptance within Bangladeshi society.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh Founder President Advocates for LGBTI Rights at HELP International Conference

In a groundbreaking event organized by the Council of Europe's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGI) unit, the Help international course launch and conference on LGBTI persons in the asylum procedure took place on December 4, 2023, at the Council of Europe premises in Strasbourg, France. Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh (JMBF), was in attendance, emphasizing the organization's commitment to promoting justice and human rights for all.

The conference featured esteemed speakers such as Thorsten Afflerbach, Head of Division, Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Programmes at the Council of Europe, Jeroen Schokkenbroek, Director of the Directorate of Anti-Discrimination, and Leyla Kayacik, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe for Migration and Refugees. Other notable participants included Andreas Wissner, UNHCR Representative to the European Institutions in Strasbourg, and Eva Pastrana, Head of the HELP Programme at the Council of Europe.

Shahanur Islam attended the 21st World Summit on Participatory Democracy at Grenoble, France

Bangladesh human rights activist and lawyer Advocate Shahanur Islam attend the 21st World Summit on Participatory Democracy held in 7th to 10th December 2022  at Grenoble, France.

More than 600 participants from over 60 countries shared and discussed democratic renewal, climate justice and participatory methodologies at the world summit of cities for democracy.

মানবাধিকার আইনজীবী শাহানূর ইসলামের অংশগ্রহণমূলক গণতন্ত্র সম্মেলনে যোগদানে ফ্রান্সের উদ্দেশ্যে ঢাকা ত্যাগ

ফ্রান্স এর গ্রোনোবল সিটি কর্পোরেশনের মেয়র এরিক পোলে’র আমন্ত্রণে অংশগ্রহণমূলক গণতন্ত্র সম্মেলনে যোগদান করতে উদ্দেশ্যে মানবাধিকার আইনজীবী ও নওগাঁ নিউজের উপদেষ্টা অ্যাডভোকেট শাহানূর ইসলাম সৈকত আজ ফ্রান্সের উদ্দেশ্যে ঢাকা ত্যাগ করেছেন।

আজ ভোর রাতে এমিরেটস এয়ারলাইনের একটি বিমানে তিনি হজরত শাহাজালাল আন্তর্জাতিক বিমান বন্দর হতে ফ্রান্সের গ্রোনোবলের উদ্দেশ্যে রওনা দেন।

মানবাধিকার ও জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন বিষয়ক আন্তর্জাতিক সেমিনারে যোগদানের উদ্দেশ্যে মানবাধিকার আইনজীবী শাহানূর ইসলামের লুক্সেমবার্গ গমন।

লুক্সেমবার্গ পররাষ্ট্র ও ইউরোপিয়ান বিষয়ক মন্ত্রণালয়ের আমন্ত্রনে মানবাধিকার ও জলবায়ু পরিবর্তন বিষয়ক আন্তর্জাতিক সেমিনারে যোগদানের উদ্দেশ্যে মানবাধিকার আইনজীবী অ্যাডভোকেট শাহানূর ইসলাম আজ লুক্সেমবার্গ গমন করেন।

এশিয়া ইউরোপ ফাউণ্ডেশন, সিঙ্গাপুর, সুইডিশ পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়ের মনোনীত রাউল ওয়ালেংবার্গ ইন্সটিউট, সুইডেন,পররাষ্ট্র ও ইউরোপ বিষয়ক মন্ত্রণালয়, ফ্রান্স, পররাষ্ট্র বিষয়ক বিভাগ, ফিলিপাইন, পররাষ্ট্র বিষয়ক বিভাগ, সুইজারল্যান্ড এবং পররাষ্ট্র বিষয়ক মন্ত্রণালয়, চীন এর সহযোগীতায় সেমিনারটি আয়োজন করছে লুক্সেমবার্গ পররাষ্ট্র ইউরোপ বিষয়ক মন্ত্রণালয়।

Shahanur Islam attends the 7th Asia Pacific Consultation on refugee rights.

Shahanur Islam, Honorary Executive Director of Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights and also a leading human rights lawyer, blogger and LGBT campaigner in Bangladesh attend the 7th Asia Pacific Consultation on refugee rights.  The consultation has been held at Hotel Narai, Bangkok, Thailand from 22 to 25 October 2018, organised by Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network.

Gov't of Bangladesh Should Recognise Rights of the LGBT People!

Belgium: December 08, 2012 

Human Rights of LGBT persons are not  recognize in Bangladesh. They are abused, discriminated, arrested and tortured  simply because of who they are or who they are perceived to be, stated by Mr. Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi human rights defender and founding secretary general of the newly established organization JusticeMakers

Gov't of Bangladesh Should be Decriminalize Homosexual Acts!

The Heage: December 08, 2012

"Gov't of Bangladesh Should be constitutionally recognize sexual (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender), ethnic minority community people & decriminalize homosexual acts immediately"- Mr. Shahanur Islam, founding secretary general of newly establish human rights organization JusticiceMakers

NEWS: GHRD Symposium: Grassroots protection of minority rights

Mumbai, 7 November 2011

GHRD successfully concluded its three day symposium: grass roots protection of minority rights, in Mumbai, India in November 7 . The symposium brought together 25 local partners, NGOs, journalists, and lawyers from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh active in the field of human rights, on the issues of human trafficking, Dalits, and religious and indigenous rights.