International Day of the Endangered Lawyer: The Bangladesh Context & JMBF’s Initiative

To read the English and French versions, scroll below.

Advocate Shahanur Islam

The legal profession is one of the fundamental pillars for ensuring the rule of law, judicial independence, and the protection of human rights. Unfortunately, in Bangladesh—especially under the current caretaker government—many lawyers are facing various forms of repression, harassment, and violence while carrying out their professional duties.

In just the past 10 months, over 500 lawyers across the country have been targeted with politically motivated false cases, most of which involve charges of murder, attempted murder, and bombings.

পবিত্র ঈদ উল আযহার শুভেচ্ছা ও অভিনন্দন!

*********************************************************************************** JMBF is an independent non-profit, nonpartisan human rights organization registered in France with registration number W931027714 under the association law of 1901, dedicated to defending human rights, fighting for justice, and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond.

JMBF Celebrates International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia 2025!

To read the Bengali and French versions, scroll below.

Paris, May 18, 2025: France-based human rights organization Justicemakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT) 2025. On May 17, the organization issued a press release and marked the occasion by publishing the “Annual LGBTQI+ Rights Report in Bangladesh – 2024.” As part of the celebration, the organization also organized an international conference titled "Lawyers’ Commitment to Protect LGBTQI+ Rights" on May 13 at the French National Bar Council Conference Room.

JMBF Press & Public Statement on World Press Freedom Day 2025

"Veuillez lire la version française ci-dessous."

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.

JMBF Statement on International Lesbian Visibility Day 2025

"Please read the French and Bengali versions below"

Paris, France; April 26, 2025: Today, on International Lesbian Visibility Day 2025, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) stands in steadfast solidarity with lesbians across the globe — especially with those in Bangladesh who continue to live, love, and resist under immense pressure and threat.

In Bangladesh, being a lesbian often means facing a life of secrecy, fear, and discrimination. The silence surrounding their struggles is not a choice but a survival strategy in a society that criminalizes same-sex love and perpetuates deeply rooted homophobia. Despite these immense challenges, countless lesbian individuals in Bangladesh persist with extraordinary courage.

Human Rights Day 2024: JMBF Founder Highlights Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh at Paris Event

Paris, December 12, 2024 – In celebration of Human Rights Day 2024, Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder and President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), participated in a high-profile event at the Hôtel du Ministre, Quai d'Orsay, Paris, on December 10, 2024. Organized by the Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs, the event convened prominent human rights advocates, government officials, and international representatives to address global human rights challenges.

The event opened with remarks by Isabelle Rome, French Ambassador for Human Rights and former Minister for Equity, and Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, setting the stage for a series of engaging discussions moderated by Frédéric Jung, Deputy Director of the United Nations, International Organizations, Human Rights, and La Francophonie.

STATEMENT: JMBF Statement on World Human Rights Day 2024

Paris, France; December 10, 2024: On the occasion of World Human Rights Day 2024, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) joins the global community in reaffirming its commitment to the advancement of human rights and equality. This year’s theme,Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now” serves as a timely reminder of the work still to be done in Bangladesh to create a society free of oppression and injustice. This day is not just a celebration of universal human rights, but also a call to action to address inequality, uphold dignity, and foster justice for every citizen of Bangladesh.

JMBF Statement on Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) 2024

Paris, France; November 20, 2024- On this Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) 2024, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) solemnly honors the memory of transgender individuals who have tragically lost their lives to anti-transgender violence. While this day serves as a global observance, we particularly focus on the alarming rise in violence against transgender people in Bangladesh, where systemic discrimination and religious intolerance continue to devastate the transgender community.

Robert Simon, Chief Adviser of JMBF, emphasizes, "In Bangladesh, transgender individuals, particularly Hijra and other gender-diverse communities, suffer from relentless violence, social exclusion, and denial of basic human rights. Many are deprived of access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, forcing them into precarious and vulnerable situations. As we remember those we have lost, we renew our unwavering commitment to fighting against these injustices."

STATEMENT: World Day Against Death Penalty 2024 – JMBF Firmly Calls for the Abolition of Death Penalty in Bangladesh

October 10, 2024 | Paris, France: On the occasion of World Day Against Death Penalty 2024, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) firmly calls upon the present Interim Government of Bangladesh, led by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate for Peace, to abolish the death penalty in all its forms in Bangladesh.

JMBF believes that the death penalty is an irreversible and inhumane punishment that has no place in a just and civilized society. Our stance aligns with both national and international legal frameworks that prioritize human dignity, the right to life, and fairness. The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, particularly Article 32, guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, yet the death penalty stands in stark opposition to this fundamental right.

STATEMENT: International Lesbian Day 2024 – A Call for Justice and Equality in Bangladesh

Paris, France; October 08, 2024 – On the occasion of International Lesbian Day 2024, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) stands in solidarity with lesbian women and the broader LGBTQ+ community, both in Bangladesh and worldwide. This day serves as a crucial reminder to reflect on the progress made, acknowledge the struggles that persist, and renew our commitment to fighting for justice, equality, and safety for all lesbian individuals.

STATEMENT: JMBF Calls for Justice and Accountability for Enforced Disappearances in Bangladesh

Paris, France; August 30, 2024: On the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) stands in unwavering solidarity with the victims and families affected by enforced disappearances in Bangladesh. This day serves as a crucial reminder of the need to protect the fundamental rights of all citizens and to ensure justice for those who have been forcibly taken from their families.

১৭ মে সমকামীতাভীতির বিরুদ্ধে আন্তর্জাতিক দিবস ২০২২ উপলক্ষে বিআইএইচআর এবং জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ এর যৌথ বিবৃতি

যৌন প্রবৃত্তিগত সংখ্যালঘু সমকামী ব্যক্তির সাংবিধানিক স্বীকৃতি প্রদান পুর্দবক দণ্ডবিধির ৩৭৭ ধারা বিলোপ করে তাদের সুরক্ষা প্রদান আইন প্রনয়ন করা হোক। 

যৌন প্রবৃত্তিগত সংখ্যালঘু সমকামী সম্প্রদায় অর্থাৎ লেজবিয়ান, গে, বাইসেক্সুয়াল এবং ট্রানজেণ্ডার ব্যক্তি  সমাজের আর দশজন ব্যক্তির চেয়ে আলাদা কেউ না হলেও বিশ্বের অধিকাংশ সমাজে তাদের সবসময় আলাদা করে নিচু দৃষ্টিতে দেখা হয়ে থাকে। 

ফলে তাদের সমাজে গ্রহণযোগ্যতা, সমমর্যাদা ও আইনের দৃষ্টিতে সমতা প্রতিষ্ঠার  জন্য প্রতিনিয়ত সংগ্রাম করতে হচ্ছে।

শুধুমাত্র যৌন প্রবৃত্তি ও লিঙ্গ পরিচয়ের কারণে মানবাধিকার লংঘনের ঘটনা সারা বিশ্বে আজ গুরুত্বর উদ্বেগের বিষয় হয়ে দাঁড়িয়েছে। 

BIHR Joint Statement on the Occasion of World Day Against Death Penalty 2021

As we mark the 19th World Day Against the Death Penalty dedicated to women facing capital punishment, who have been sentenced to death, who have been executed or who have been pardoned or found not guilty, the members of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and allies of women sentenced to death take this opportunity to:

BIHR and JusticeMakers Bangladesh Celebrates Music Freedom day 2021

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights along with its partner organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh and Human Rights Development Project, Khulna celebrates the Music Freedom Day 2021 at Naogaon and Khulna today on 03 March 2021. The celebration of music freedom day is coordinated and supported by Freemuse, Denmark. They celebrates the day in Bangladesh with human chain, rally, dissuasion meeting as well as performing open air stage show by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender artists

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights along with its partner organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh and Human Rights Development Project, Khulna celebrates the Music Freedom Day 2021 at Naogaon and Khulna today. The celebration of music freedom day is coordinated and supported by Freemuse, Denmark. They celebrates the day in Bangladesh with human chain, rally, dissuasion meeting as well as performing open air stage show by Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender artists.

BIHR Celebrates Music Freedom Day 2020 in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights along with its partner organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh and Ekushe Parishad, Naogaon celebrates the Music Freedom Day 2020 at Naogaon today. The celebration of music freedom day is coordinated and supported by Freemuse. They music freedom day celebrates in Bangladesh first ever time.

জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ এর বিশ্ব মানবাধিকার দিবস ২০১২ উদযাপন।

ঢাকা, ১০ ডিসেম্বর ২০১২

মানবাধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠান জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ,ঢাকা, মানবাধিকার উন্নয়ন প্রকল্প (এইচআরডিপি), খুলনা, মানব উন্নয়ন কেন্দ্র (মউক), মেহেরপুর এবং গ্লোবাল হিউম্যান রাইটস ডিফেন্স (জিএইচআরডি) যৌথভাবে নানান কর্মসূচী আয়োজনের মাধ্যমে বর্নিলভাবে খুলনা ও মেহেরপুরে  আজ ১০ ডিসেম্বর বিশ্ব মানবাধিকার দিবস ২০১২ উদযাপন করে। মানবাধিকার উন্নয়ন প্রকল্প (এইচআরডিপি), খুলনা আজ

JusticeMakers Bangladesh & Manab Unnayan Kendra celebrates the International Women Day 2012

JusticeMakers Bangladesh & Manab Unnayan Kendra jointly celebrates the International Women Day 2012 under the theme of Connecting Girl: Inspiring Future.  As the part of celebration of this day it has organized a Human Chain followed by the Rally at in Meherpur district, the southern region of Bangladesh to raise more awareness about rights and opportunity for the women & girl to show support to those women & girl who are often victimized in violence in Bangladeshi society.

BIHR & HRDP celebrates the International Human Rights Day in Khulna

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) and Human Rights development Project-Khulna (HRDP) supported by Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD), Netherlands celebrates the International Human Rights Day 2010 in Khulna, the southern region of Bangladesh. As the part of the celebration of this day it has organized a Human Chain followed by the Rally, on the theme of “Speak up: Stop Discrimination” to raise even more awareness about rights and opportunity for the women & girl to show support to those women & girl who are often victimized in violence in Bangladeshi society.

The Human Chain and Rally took place in front of the Cemetery Road, Khulna around at 9.30 am, the organization and more than four hundred people of different ethnic, religious, race, profession, sex, institution, age attend the event. Among them, more than 150 women victim of torture and organized violence from five different victim association namely Sonali Victim Association, Progoti Victim Association, Sheikhpara Victim Association, Diyara Victim Association & Banargati Victim Association who were rehabilitated by Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims (BRCT) and acting as a human rights defender in local level were attend the event.

BRCT & BIHR celebrates the International Women’s Day in Dhaka

PAPER CLIP:BIHR Celebrates International Womens day 2010