BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Arbitrary Arrests of 5 Respected Lawyers in Naogaon, Rangpur, Patuakhali, Manikganj, and Moulvibazar; Demands Immediate Release!

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Paris, France; 22 July 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern over the recent arbitrary and unjust arrests of lawyers in Bangladesh. The growing trend of filing false cases, implicating lawyers in politically motivated charges, and denying them bail—leading to imprisonment—is a grave threat to professional independence. These actions constitute a clear violation of the Constitution of Bangladesh, international human rights laws, and the United Nations Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers.

JMBF firmly believes that lawyers are fundamental pillars in upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice in a democratic society.

The Relentless Defender: How Advocate Shahanur Islam Became the Conscience of Bangladesh’s Legal Resistance

In the shadows of courtrooms and far from the glow of headlines, one man continues to risk his life for the rule of law. Advocate Shahanur Islam, a veteran Bangladeshi human rights lawyer, has spent the last two decades challenging a legal system plagued by corruption, police brutality, and discrimination. Now living in exile, his voice echoes louder than ever through legal reports, international appeals, and grassroots activism.

The Making of a Maverick

Born in northern Bangladesh, Islam's journey to law was not one of privilege, but of purpose. By his late twenties, he had already founded the JusticeMakers Bangladesh (JMBD) and later the international platform JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). Through these initiatives, he began documenting torture, false arrests, and violence against vulnerable communities.

“Justice isn’t just an idea—it’s a fight,” Islam says. “And it’s a fight we cannot afford to lose.”

State-Sponsored Massacre in Gopalganj: A Human Rights Catastrophe Behind the Mask of the Yunus Administration

By Advocate Shahanur Islam

July 16, 2025, will be remembered as another blood-stained black day in Bangladesh’s history. On this day, under the command of the interim government led by Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus—an administration that came to power promising rule of law, democracy, and human rights—the military, alongside the police, opened fire on unarmed civilians in Gopalganj. At least five people were killed and over a hundred injured, with many still reported missing.

They did not stop with the killings and injuries; rather, they snatched the fundamental rights of Gopalganj’s people by imposing a curfew since the day of the violence.

PRESS RELEASE: Congratulations to the Interim Government of Bangladesh on Signing the MoU for Establishing the UN Human Rights Office in Dhaka: Immediate Priority Must Be Given to Investigating the Gopalganj Shooting Incident

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Paris, France; 18 July 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) extends its sincere congratulations and best wishes to the United Nations and the Interim Government of Bangladesh for signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a regional office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Dhaka, aimed at protecting and promoting human rights in the country.

The MoU, signed in Geneva between UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, is regarded by JMBF as a landmark step towards improving the human rights situation in Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Killing of Four and Injury to Hundreds of Unarmed Protesters by Deadly Army Firing in Gopalganj

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Paris, France; 16 July 2025: The France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France(JMBF) expresses deep concern, anger, and protest over the incident in Gopalganj, where the police and army opened deadly fire on unarmed civilians protesting to protect the graveyard of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman—killing at least four innocent people and injuring more than a hundred.

JMBF strongly believes that opening deadly fire on peaceful, unarmed protesters—opposing the arrogant anti-Mujibism promoted by the National Citizens Party (NCP), backed by the current interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus—as well as threatening to destroy Bangabandhu’s graveyard in Tungipara, similar to the demolition of his house at 32 Dhanmondi Road, is a gross violation of Bangladesh’s Constitution, existing laws, and the fundamental human rights enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Strong Condemnation Over Barring Pro-Awami Lawyers from Contesting Gazipur District Bar Association Election

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Paris, France; 7 July 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation over the incident where pro-Awami ideology lawyers were barred from contesting the 2025–2026 executive committee election of the Gazipur District Bar Association, thereby depriving them of their professional and democratic rights.

France-based human rights organization JMBF firmly believes that one of the fundamental pillars of pluralistic democracy is equal rights of all citizens to participate in elections and enjoy professional freedom.

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

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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.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arrests & Sentencing of Lawyers in Meherpur, Jhalokathi, Bogura & Natore

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Paris, France; 22 May 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, has expressed strong outrage and deep concern over the recent sentencing of senior and ailing lawyer Advocate Alek Uddin Sheikh in the courtroom on 9 May in Natore for alleged "commotion"; arrest of Advocate Md. Abdus Salam of the Meherpur District Bar without a warrant on the night of 12 April; the imprisonment of former Public Prosecutor (PP) and Jhalokathi District Bar Association President Abdul Mannan Rasul upon surrendering for bail as per a High Court directive on 16 March 2025; and the denial of bail and imprisonment of former Special PP Ashakur Rahman Sujon by the Bogura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal on 20 October 2024—solely due to their professional duties and differing political beliefs.

JMBF's Annual Activity Report 2024

The JMBF Annual Activity Report 2024 provides a comprehensive and structured account of the activities, achievements, and institutional developments of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) during the period from 1 January to 31 December 2024. This report is prepared in accordance with principles of transparency, accountability, and good governance, reflecting JMBF’s continued commitment to international human rights standards.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Joins Global Grassroots Justice Network

Paris, France – May 28, 2024 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a leading organization committed to advancing legal empowerment and access to justice for marginalized communities, has officially joined the Grassroots Justice Network (GJN) as of May 2024. The announcement was made during a collaborative convening of legal empowerment leaders in France, signifying a major milestone in global efforts toward people-centered justice.

Annual Report 2023: Violence Against Lawyers in Bangladesh (January -December 2022)