Is Violence Against Minorities Justified for Political Reasons?

Advocate Shahanur Islam 

On March 17, in an interview broadcast on Indian TV channel NDTV, the head of U.S. National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, expressed deep concern about the overall situation in Bangladesh, particularly regarding the persecution of minorities. She explicitly mentioned that the Trump administration was extremely worried about the human rights situation of minorities in Bangladesh. 

However, soon after her statement, the office of the Chief Adviser of the interim government issued a press release denying these concerns. The statement claimed that religious minorities in Bangladesh were not facing any persecution and that a harmonious environment prevailed in the country. However, the reality paints a completely different picture. 

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Continuous Attacks on Minorities in Bangladesh and Demands Immediate International Intervention

(বাংলায় বিবৃতিটি পড়তে, অনুগ্রহপূর্বক ইংরেজি ভার্ষণের শেষে দেখুন)

Paris, France | March 18, 2025: France-based human rights watchdog JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the ongoing violence and systematic persecution of religious minorities and indigenous communities in Bangladesh during the tenure of the current interim government led by former Nobel Laureate for Peace, Professor Muhammad Yunus. The recent surge in murders, rapes, religious persecution, and the destruction of homes and businesses exposes a severe human rights crisis and clear violations of fundamental rights, demanding urgent action from the international community.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Communal Violence in Bangladesh and Protests Against Government Denial

Paris, France: February 5, 2025: The France-based legal and human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns the alarming rise in communal violence targeting religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh between August 21, 2024, and December 31, 2024. According to credible reports from the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, 174 incidents of violence occurred during this period, resulting in the tragic deaths of 23 individuals from minority communities. These atrocities included 9 horrific cases of torture, rape, and gang rape of women, attacks on 64 places of worship, the destruction and looting of 38 homes and businesses, and the forcible occupation of 25 properties. Additionally, 15 individuals were arrested and tortured on baseless allegations of insulting religion.

JMBF asserts that such systematic violence against minority communities is a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and an assault on the principles of justice, equality, and religious freedom. It is deeply disturbing that, instead of addressing these grave issues, the interim government of Bangladesh, through the Chief Advisor's Press Wing, has chosen to deny and dismiss these incidents as mere political propaganda.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Vehemently Condemns Violent Attacks on Indigenous Student Protesters and Police Repression in Dhaka

Paris, France; January 19, 2025 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound concern and unequivocal condemnation of the recent violent attacks on Indigenous students and their supporters during a peaceful gathering on January 15, 2025, in front of the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB) office in Motijheel, Dhaka. The attack carried out in response to their protest against the removal of graffiti featuring the word "Indigenous" from school textbooks, is a clear violation of human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

JMBF also strongly condemns the subsequent police crackdown on a peaceful rally organized by the "Discontented Indigenous Students" on January 16, 2025, to besiege the Secretariat in Dhaka. These actions represent egregious violations of human rights, freedom of assembly, and the right to peaceful protest, all of which are protected under both national and international law.

STATEMENT: JMBF Calls on EU Ambassadors to Raise Concerns About Gross Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh Under the Present Interim Government During Meeting with the Chief Adviser

Paris, France; December 8, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France base human rights organisation urgently appeals to Ambassadors from all European Union (EU) countries to collectively address the ongoing and egregious human rights violations in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. These violations have intensified following the mass uprisings of August 5, 2024, which led to the collapse of the Bangladesh Awami League-led government. The upcoming meeting between EU heads of mission and the Chief Adviser on December 9, 2024, offers a crucial opportunity for the international community to stand for justice, human rights, and the rule of law in Bangladesh.

STATEMENT: JMBF Welcomes UN High Commissioner Volker Türk’s Visit to Bangladesh, Calling for Urgent Action on Human Rights Violations and Judicial Independence

Paris, France | October 29, 2024 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) welcomes the visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, to Bangladesh from October 29 to 30, 2024. This visit comes at a critical moment, as Bangladesh faces urgent human rights concerns under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, alongside documented abuses under the previous government led by Bangladesh Awami League President Sheikh Hasina.

JMBF believes this visit provides a pivotal opportunity to address Bangladesh’s human rights and rule-of-law challenges following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on August 5, 2024, and the interim government’s assumption of power on August 8, 2024.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Recent Sectarian Violence and Targeting of Ethnic Minorities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts

Paris, France; September 22, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is appalled, deeply concerned, and outraged by the recent outbreak of brutal sectarian violence in the hill districts of Khagrachhari and Rangamati in Bangladesh. This wave of violence has led to the tragic loss of lives, the forced displacement of hundreds of ethnic families, and the destruction of homes and places of worship. The killing of at least four ethnic minority men by Armymen, including Junan Chakma, Dhananjoy Chakma, and Rubel Tripura, and the arson attack on over 100 houses and businesses in Dighinala, Khagrachhari, represents a grave violation of human rights and human dignity.

STATEMENT: JMBF Calls for UN Intervention to Address Violence Against Minority Communities in Bangladesh

Paris, France; September 13, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is deeply alarmed by the recent wave of violent attacks targeting minority communities in Bangladesh following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. The destruction of homes, businesses, and places of worship—particularly those belonging to Hindu, Christian, Ahmadiyya, and ethnic minority communities—represents a grave violation of human rights and threatens the safety and dignity of these vulnerable populations.

STATEMENT: JMBF Calls on OHCHR to Investigate All Violence Before and After the Fall of Hasina's Government

Paris, France; August 23, 2024 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is profoundly alarmed by the recent surge of violence in Bangladesh during the Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement and following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in July-August 2024.

STATEMENT: JusticeMakers Bangladesh gravely concerned over attacked on indigenous people at Bogura

Bangladeshi human rights organization the JusticeMakers Bangladesh has expressed deep concern and protest against attacked on ethnic minority indigenous people at Sherpur upazila under Bogura district in Bangladesh.

The rights body simultaneously urged to bring the culprits who were involved with the heinous crime before the book after identifying them with a quick and impartial investigation by judicial body.