As we conclude the second quarter of 2025 (April to June), we are both inspired by what we’ve accomplished and energized by what lies ahead. The JMBF Quarterly eNewsletter remains more than just a publication—it’s a reflection of our shared values, collective action, and steadfast belief in community-driven change.
This year began with a clear intention: to embrace new challenges, set bold goals, and recommit to sustainable progress. In just a few months, we’ve already built meaningful momentum.
At the heart of it all are the people—partners, volunteers, and everyday changemakers—whose dedication brings our mission to life. Their stories remind us that true impact is not just about scale, but about depth, connection, and consistency.
Paris, 17 May 2025: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has officially published the “2024 Annual LGBTQ+ Rights Report of Bangladesh” today. Through a press release from the capital city of Paris, the organization outlines a detailed picture of the violence, oppression, and discriminatory behavior faced by the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh from January to December 2024.
The report is based on various national and regional newspapers, online news platforms in Bangladesh, and JMBF’s own investigations and data sources. It presents information on murders, physical assaults, suicides, police harassment, arrests, false cases, and other human rights violations against lesbians, gays, transgender, intersex, and other sexual minorities.
প্যারিস, ১৭ মে ২০২৫: ফ্রান্সভিত্তিক মানবাধিকার সংগঠন জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ) আজ ‘বাংলাদেশের বার্ষিক সমকামী অধিকার প্রতিবেদন ২০২৪’ আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে প্রকাশ করেছে। ফ্রান্সের রাজধানী প্যারিস থেকে এক সংবাদ বিজ্ঞপ্তির মাধ্যমে সংগঠনটি ২০২৪ সালের জানুয়ারি থেকে ডিসেম্বর পর্যন্ত সময়কালে বাংলাদেশে এলজিবিটিকিউআই+ সম্প্রদায়ের ওপর সংঘটিত সহিংসতা, নিপীড়ন ও বৈষম্যমূলক আচরণের বিস্তারিত চিত্র তুলে ধরে।
প্রতিবেদনটি বাংলাদেশের বিভিন্ন জাতীয় ও আঞ্চলিক পত্রিকা, অনলাইন সংবাদমাধ্যম এবং জেএমবিএফ-এর নিজস্ব অনুসন্ধান ও তথ্যভাণ্ডারের ভিত্তিতে প্রস্তুত করা হয়েছে বলে বিজ্ঞপ্তিতে উল্লেখ করা হয়েছে। এতে লেসবিয়ান, গে, ট্রান্সজেন্ডার, ইন্টারসেক্স এবং যৌন সংখ্যালঘু অন্যান্য ব্যক্তিদের ওপর সংঘটিত হত্যাকাণ্ড, শারীরিক নির্যাতন, আত্মহত্যা, পুলিশি হয়রানি, গ্রেপ্তার, মিথ্যা মামলাসহ নানা রকম মানবাধিকার লঙ্ঘনের তথ্য উপস্থাপিত হয়েছে।
Paris, le 17 mai 2025 : L'organisation française de défense des droits humains, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a officiellement publié aujourd’hui le Rapport Annuel 2024 sur les Droits des Personnes LGBTQI+ au Bangladesh. Par le biais d’un communiqué depuis Paris, l’organisation présente un tableau détaillé des violences, persécutions et comportements discriminatoires subis par la communauté LGBTQI+ au Bangladesh entre janvier et décembre 2024.
Selon le communiqué, ce rapport s’appuie sur diverses sources, notamment des journaux nationaux et régionaux, des plateformes d’information en ligne du Bangladesh, ainsi que sur les propres enquêtes et bases de données du JMBF. Il présente des cas de meurtres, d’agressions physiques, de suicides, de harcèlement policier, d’arrestations, de fausses accusations et d’autres violations des droits humains visant les lesbiennes, gays, personnes transgenres, intersexes et autres minorités sexuelles.
As we step into the first quarter (January to March) of 2025, the JMBF Quarterly eNewsletter continues to be a platform for reflection, inspiration, and progress. The start of a new year is always an opportunity to set fresh goals, embrace new challenges, and reaffirm our commitment to making a difference.
Over the past few months, JMBF has been actively engaging with communities, driving meaningful projects, and fostering collaborations that pave the way for lasting impact. From empowering local entrepreneurs to funding educational initiatives, we have seen firsthand the transformative power of collective action. In this issue, we highlight some of these incredible efforts and the individuals behind them.
As the year ends and we prepare to welcome 2025, I am filled with gratitude for the progress and milestones we have achieved together at JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). In this final quarterly issue of 2024, spanning October to December, we reflect on our journey toward fostering justice and driving meaningful change in our communities.
Throughout this period, JMBF has worked tirelessly to promote fairness, equality, and dignity for all. From impactful initiatives to advocating for marginalized voices, every effort is driven by our unwavering belief that justice is not just an ideal—it is a right for everyone.
Welcome to the latest edition of our quarterly eNewsletter, covering the period from April to June 2024. At JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), we are committed to promoting equitable justice and driving positive change within our communities.
In this issue, we are excited to share with you insightful articles and impactful initiatives that showcase the progress we have made in advancing our cause. We are grateful for the unwavering support of our dedicated team members, partners, and supporters, without whom none of this would be possible.
Paris, France, June 26, 2024 : JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has published the Annual State of Torture and Extra-Judicial Killing in Bangladesh 2023 today, coinciding with the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This meticulously documented report highlights 148 incidents of torture, extrajudicial killings, and inhumane treatment and degrading behavior in Bangladesh by Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) throughout 2023. Based on continuous monitoring of online news media published from Bangladesh and abroad, this report reveals a disturbing trend of human rights violations by LEAs, impacting a total of 1,842 individuals.
Paris, France – June 01, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) today released the comprehensive report on the annual state of violence along the Indo-Bangladesh border for the year 2023. The report documents 55 violent incidents that have resulted in 66 victims, underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions to address this persistent issue from January to December 2023. The incidents have led to fatalities, injuries, and detainments, affecting numerous individuals and communities across the border.
The report reveals a troubling pattern of violence, with the majority of incidents being perpetrated against males, resulting in 64 male victims from 53 incidents, while females were targeted in two incidents, leading to two female victims. Despite the lower number of incidents involving females, the violence they experienced was equally severe.
Paris, France - May 17, 2024 - JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) proudly announces the release of the "Annual Report on the State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023," coinciding with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing global struggle for LGBTQI+ rights and underscores the importance of collective action in combating discrimination and prejudice.
This report, following the groundbreaking inaugural edition in 2022, represents a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and advancements in LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh. It acknowledges that the documented incidents may not fully represent the actual number and types of abuses against LGBT individuals in Bangladesh, as many incidents go unreported due to social stigma and unacceptability.
Compiled by JMBF through rigorous monitoring of news media and analysis, the report covers developments in LGBTQI+ rights from January to December 2023. It provides a detailed examination of the legal, social, and cultural landscape impacting LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges.
Paris, France; December 18, 2023: In a groundbreaking initiative, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has published the first-ever comprehensive State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh for the year 2022, focusing on violence against LGBTQI+ people. The report, meticulously compiled by JusticeMakers Bangladesh (JMBD) and published by JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), sheds light on the harrowing struggles faced by the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh, offering a stark portrayal of pervasive discrimination and violence against sexual minority groups.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder Secretary General of JMBD and Founder President of JMBF, expressed a profound mixture of concern and determination in the foreword, emphasizing the organization's solemn obligation to confront and rectify the injustices that plague the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh.
The report, emanating and published from Paris, France on December 18, 2023, through a press release underscores the gravity of the situation, being the first of its kind to meticulously document violations against the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh. Prior to this undertaking, no organization, whether within Bangladesh or on the global stage, has dared to provide such a comprehensive perspective on the struggles faced by the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh.
Advocate Shahanur Islam expresses a solemn commitment to addressing the injustices and emphasizes the collective responsibility of policymakers, legislators, civil society entities, and community leaders in effecting positive change.
প্যারিস, ফ্রান্স; ১৮ ডিসেম্বর, ২০২৩: ফ্রান্স ভিত্তিক মানবাধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠান জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ) প্রথমবারের মতো বাংলাদেশে সমকামী ব্যক্তির প্রতি সহিংসতা, বৈষম্য ও অধিকার বিষয়ক বিস্তারিত প্রদিবেদন “বাংলাদেশে সমকামী অধিকার ২০২২” প্রকাশ করেছে।
বাংলাদেশের বিভিন্ন সংবাদ মাধ্যমে প্রকাশিত সমকামী ব্যক্তির প্রতি সহিংসতা, বৈষম্য ও অধিকার সংক্রান্ত খবর জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ (জেএমবিডি)কর্তৃক নিয়মিত সংকলন ও যাচায়পূর্বক প্রাপ্ত তথ্য জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ)১৮ ডিসেম্বর ২০২৩ এ প্রতিবেদন আকারে প্রকাশ করেছে।
বাংলাদেশে যৌন সংখ্যালঘু সমকামী গোষ্ঠীর বিরুদ্ধে চলমান ব্যাপক বৈষম্য ও সহিংসতার একটি স্পষ্ট চিত্র তুলে ধরাসহ প্রতিবেদনটিতে বাংলাদেশে সমকামী সম্প্রদায় প্রতিনিয়ত যে সকল কঠিন সংগ্রামের মাধ্যমে বেঁচে রয়েছে তাঁর উপর বিস্তারিত আলোকপাত করা করেছে।
জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ (জেএমবিডি)এর প্রতিষ্ঠাতা মহাসচিব এবং জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ)এর প্রতিষ্ঠাতা সভাপতি অ্যাডভোকেট শাহানুর ইসলাম প্রতিবেদনটি সম্পাদনা করেছেন। তিনি প্রতিবেদনের মুখবন্ধে বাংলাদেশে যৌন সংখ্যালঘু সমকামী সম্প্রদায় যেসব সহিংসতা, অবিচার, বৈষম্য, নির্যাতনের শিকার হয় তা নিরসনে তাঁর প্রতিষ্ঠিত মানবাধিকার সংগঠন জেএমবিডি এবং জেএমবিএফ আন্তরিকভাবে কাজ করবে বলে সংকল্প ব্যক্ত করেছেন।
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."
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.
Bangladeshi prominent human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam's blog post on LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh has been highlighted in the "Country Policy and Information Note: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Bangladesh," published by the UK Home Office's Visa and Immigration department on September 5, 2023. Shahanur's article, titled "How can society promote equality and respect for LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh?" was one of the most highlighted pieces in the report.
Additionally, JusticeMakers Bangladesh, a prominent nonprofit organization, founded by Shahanur Islam, dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and social justice in Bangladesh, has received international recognition for its tireless efforts. In a recent report published by the Visa and Immigration department under the UK Home Office, JusticeMakers Bangladesh's activities and a notable blog post of Shahanur Islam have been prominently featured.
প্যারিস, ফ্রান্স-আগস্ট ১০,২০২৩: জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ
ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ)সম্প্রতি ২০২২ সালে বাংলাদেশে আইনজীবীদের বিরুদ্ধে সংঘটিত সহিংসতার
বেদনাদায়ক প্রবণতা সংক্রান্ত বার্ষিক প্রতিবেদন প্রকাশ করেছে।
উক্ত প্রতিবেদনে২০২২ সালের জানুয়ারি থেকে ডিসেম্বর মাস পর্যন্ত বাংলাদেশে আইনঅজীবীরা পেশাগত
দায়িত্ব পালনে যে সকল সহিংসতা ও চ্যালেঞ্জের মুখোমুখি হয়েছে তাঁর একটি ভয়াবহ চিত্র
তুলে ধরেছে এবং উক্ত উদ্বেগজনক পরিস্থিতি মোকাবেলায় জরুরি পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণের জন্য সংশ্লিষ্ট
কর্তৃপক্ষের নিকট আহ্বান জানিয়েছে।
Paris, France, August 10, 2023: A shocking and distressing trend of violence against lawyers in Bangladesh has been unveiled by the recently published comprehensive annual report by JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). The report, covering the period from January to December 2022, paints a grim picture of the challenges faced by legal professionals in the country and calls for urgent action to address the alarming situation.
The report, published in Paris, France on August 10, 2023, is a groundbreaking endeavor that sheds light on the disconcerting incidents of violence targeting lawyers in Bangladesh. It is a meticulous documentation of incidents that includes physical attacks, assault, beatings, murder, rape, kidnappings, fabrication of cases, arrests, threats, intimidation, attempted murder, and judicial harassment.
ব্রাসেলস এ বাংলাদেশের মানবাধিকার পরিস্থিতি পর্যালোচনা সভায় প্রধান বক্তা হিসেবে শাহানূর ইসলামের অংশগ্রহণ!
On May 11 (Thursday), a discussion meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium with the participation of European human rights lawyers to review the current human rights situation in Bangladesh.
গত ১১ মে (বৃহস্পতিবার) বাংলাদেশের বর্তমান মানবাধিকার পরিস্থিতি পর্যালোচনায় ইউরোপীয় মানবাধিকার আইনজীবীদের অংশগ্রহনে এক আলোচনা সভা অনুষ্ঠিত হয়।
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.
In February and April of this year, over one hundred houses, one school and two Buddhist temples were burnt to ashes in two different attacks against indigenous minority communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh, leaving hundreds of indigenous men women and children homeless and many injured.
GHRD’s local partner Adv. Shahanur Islam recently went to the region to investigate the attacks and talk to those affected. Our investigations found that some 638 Jumma were affected in the attacks. Many of those who lost their homes in the arson attacks continue to live in tents or temporary shelter.
All interviewees confirmed that on both occasions, security forces were present but failed to act to stop the violence, looking on as the destruction occurred. The government of Bangladesh has thus far failed to adequately investigate this - reflecting its lack of real commitment to bringing peace in the region and bringing into question the real intention of the government to implement the 1997 CHT Peace Accord.
The local authorities have also failed to investigate the attacks, despite identification of the main perpetrators of the violence. At the time of writing of this report no-one had yet been arrested in relation to these attacks.
Instead of promoting transparent investigations and reporting, the government proclaimed an ‘emergency’ prohibiting any access to the area following the attacks. The government has also failed to promote transparency in the region following the attacks.During our team’s investigations, the local authorities expressed strong suspicion towards any international involvement in the region. Our observer Adv. Shahanur Islam was approached and questioned on multiple occasions by members of the Border Guards of Bangladesh and by the district special branch of police who requested information on the identity of the team, the organisation they worked for and purpose for their visit.
These attacks are clear examples of a government failure to uphold basic human rights and protect the Jumma. In addition, the implication of military forces in the attacks and the lack of impartial investigation prove that the government of Bangladesh is either unwilling or unable to protect its Jumma population and must be held accountable within the international forum.
Fact finding
Massive communal attack on Jumma villages by Bengali settlers in presence of security forces at Longadu in Rangamati
17 February 2011, Longadu Upazila
On the morning of 17 February 2011 around 200-300 Bengali settlers from the Gulshakhali settler area under Longadu Upazila in Rangamati district began staged demonstrations, attacking and setting fire to the Jumma villages of Gulshakhali and Rangi Para. The following information is based on GHRD’s case file (Case no. 03-HRCF-CHT-Longadu), prepared by our local observer.
Bengali settlers accused Jumma of being responsible for the death of Mr Saber Ali, a Bengali settler who went missing on February 15 and was discovered dead the following day. The settlers carried his dead body during the demonstrations, creating tension. During this procession, most of the Jumma fled in fear.
Following the procession, two Jumma students coming from Rangamati by boat were attacked and severely beaten by settlers when they attempted to disembark from the boat. They were later admitted to Rangamati general hospital.
Later in the day, Bengali settlers made an attack of the Jumma villages of Gulsakhali and Bagachatar, setting fire to Jumma houses one after the other. In the attack, at least 21 Jumma houses including one BRAC school were burnt to ashes and 6 houses were looted.
According to all 40 Jumma victims interviewed, the Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) did nothing to stop the Bengali settlers from setting fire on Jumma houses, despite being present at the time. Early in the day, Jumma leaders informed members of the BGB and the administration, asking for protection, but at this stage they did not come. Later in the evening around 5pm there were 12 members of the BGB from Rangipara Tematha camp present during the arson attacks, but stayed silent. During the later arson attacks in Stantinagaor village, 20-25 BGB members staying in a nearby temporary BGB camp at Shanti Nagar watched the attacks from inside the camp.
A First Information Report has been lodged with the Longadu police station by one of the Jumma victims, however, he has been receiving constant threats and intimidation to withdraw the complaint, including statements that “If you do not withdraw the case, we will take that step which we need to withdraw” and “If you do not withdraw the case you will fall in danger”.
Massive Communal Arson Attack upon Indigenous Jumma Peoples by Bengali Settlers in Ramgarh & Manikchari, Khagrachhari district
17 April 2011, Khagrachhari district
On Sunday 17 April 2011, exactly two months after Bengali settlers attacked the Jumma villages in the Rangamati district of the CHT; Bengali settlers in the presence of government security forces again attacked five indigenous Jumma villages in Khagrachari district of the CHT, but this time on a larger scale. The following information is based on GHRD’s case file (Case no. 04-HRCF-CHT-Khagrachari), prepared by our local observer.
According to our local observer, a total of 521 Jumma were affected by the attacks and 87 houses belonging including two Buddhist temples were completely burnt to ashes. At least 16 Jumma including four women were injured and one is still missing. At the date of this report, a small amount of relief had been provided to the victims but it is inadequate, all the victims continue to live under the open sky in the jungle or in traditional tents.
The attacks followed the death of three Bengali settlers that occurred during a land dispute when Bengali settlers tried to take adverse possession of some disputed Jumma land. Bengali settlers brought out a procession at Manikchari bazaar shouting slogans against the Jumma people along with the dead body of a Bengali settler. Interviewed victims stated that the local administration did not oppose the Bengali settlers while they were bringing out the procession with the dead body.
Immediately after the procession, Bengali settlers set fire to Jumma houses in the Mahamani areas of Manikchari upazila headquarters.
During the attacks around 20-25 army men were standing in the vicinity while the houses and shops of the Jumma people were looted, vandalised and set ablaze. Though military forces were patrolling throughout the areas, they did not oppose Bengali settlers from setting fire to Jumma houses. The army kept patrolling along the road side while on the other, Bengali settlers started entering Jumma villages and setting fire to Jumma houses.
In Jalia para area, Bengali settlers attacked Jumma passengers getting them down from public buses including Shanti Paribahan who were coming from Chittagong and Feni to Khagrachari. At least 16 Jumma were wounded in this attack. Two of them were admitted in serous condition to the local hospital. According to eye witnesses Bengali settlers were stopping every vehicle and looking for ethnic minority people in jalia para area, getting the ethnic minority people out of the vehicle and then beating them with batons, kicking and slapping them - most of the victims injured their legs, hands, and head and had bruises all over their bodies.
Transparency and accountability:
Instead of promoting transparent investigations and reporting, the government proclaimed an ‘emergency’ prohibiting any access to the area following the attacks.
During our team’s investigations, the local authorities expressed strong suspicion towards any international involvement in the region. Our observer Adv. Shahanur Islam was approached and questioned on multiple occasions by members of the Border Guards of Bangladesh and by the district special branch of police who requested information on the identity of the team, the organisation they worked for and purpose for their visit.
House of Lords conference on the implementation of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord in London, July 4 2011
GHRD representatives attended and spoke at a recent conference at the House of Lords in London. The conference focused on the human rights violations that are continuing in the CHT region and on the implementation of the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.
GHRD Human Rights Officer Julia de Blaauw spoke of GHRD’s recent fact finding in the CHT region and about the recent arson attacks that took place in February and April of 2011 in Rangamati and Khagrachari districts. Lord Eric Avebury, Co-Chair of the CHT Commission, chaired the conference which was jointly hosted with the Jumma Peoples Network of the UK (JPNUK). The High Commissioner for Bangladesh was present, along with academics, members of the Jumma Peoples network and representatives from Survival International and Amnesty International.
The High Commissioner for Bangladesh maintained that a military presence is required in the CHT region and that there ‘are no indigenous’ people in Bangladesh. In conversation following the conference, GHRD representatives requested information on the government’s activities and investigations into the arson attacks of February and April but received no information on this. The representative maintains that the government is ‘investigating’, however, no information has been forthcoming.
Read GHRD’s statement here
NGO and media reports
The UN Tenth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 16-27 may
The implementation of the 1997 CHT Peace Accord and current issues in the CHT region were discussed during the recent UN session on Indigenous Issues in May. During the forum, Lars–Anders Bauer, Co-chair of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission and member of the UN permanent forum on indigenous issues, presented his report on the implementation of the 1997 Peace Accord. The main finding of the report was that the Peace Accord remains largely unimplemented and that the government has done next to nothing to implement.
Mr Bauer highlighted the fact that the report had been submitted to the Bangladeshi government and received no response. Mr Bauer called for the government to:
draw up a timeline for implementation of the accord
demilitarize the region
return all daily operations to a civilian administration rather than military
settle land disputes in the region
request assistance from international organizations to help implement the Accord.
The government of Bangladesh replied by saying that the Jumma are tribal, ethnic minority groups and as such cannot be considered as indigenous. Government representatives further stated that Bangladesh does not have an indigenous population within its borders, therefore, there is no issue and the UN forum has no authority to report on these issues. The government considered that the report is ‘cherry picked’ and paints a ‘darker picture’ of the government.
GHRD rejects these statements and maintains that the Jumma are indigenous. Furthermore, the lack of preservation of Jumma identity and culture and the denial of indigenous rights is further degrading their quality of life and they continue to experience human rights violations on a regular basis.
Recommendations
The February and April arson attacks amount to a government failure to uphold basic human rights and protect the Jumma. The implication of military forces in the attacks and the lack of impartial investigation prove that the government of Bangladesh is either unwilling or unable to protect its Jumma population and must be held accountable within the international forum.
Implementation of the 1997 Peace Accord was a major election promise of the ruling government, the Awami League. To date, the government has failed to honour this commitment and land grabbing and disputes over land continue to be the main reason for attacks by Bengali settlers against the Jumma in the CHT.
GHRD’s view remains that the government of Bangladesh must take responsibility for the human rights violations in the region and must fully honour its stated commitment to the 1997 Peace Accord by: impartially investigating the human rights violations that have occurred and the role of the military in these violations, bringing those responsible to justice and demilitarizing the region.
GHRD therefore urges the government of Bangladesh to:
·Thoroughly and impartially investigate the February and April attacks; identify the main perpetrators and those responsible to justice. Ensure exemplary punishment of the perpetrators who were directly or indirectly involved in this violation of human rights.
·Investigate the involvement of the security forces and Border Guards of Bangladesh in these attacks and punish those responsible.
·Issue instructions to military, para-military, police and para-police personnel posted in the CHT to protect all communities without discrimination and to provide communities that have a recent history of such attacks or vulnerability special protection.
·Take all measures to fulfil Awami League election promises by fully implementing the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord and providing a forum for solving land disputes.
·Recognise minority Jumma as indigenous in Constitution and sign the UN Declaration on Indigenous peoples rights
