BANGLADESH: Condemnation of the brutal attack on Nazrul Hijra in Jessore and call for urgent legal reforms to protect human rights for LGBT individuals without discrimination

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Paris, France | June 12, 2025 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses deep concern and outrage over the premeditated brutal attack on Nazrul Hijra, a well-known third-gender Hijra individual from Baliaghat village in Jessore district. On the night of Wednesday, May 28, around 10:30 PM, local assailants armed with traditional weapons violently assaulted him, severely injuring him and looting eight tolas of gold jewelry. He is currently receiving treatment at Jessore General Hospital.

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: Call for Immediate Release of Unlawful, Politically Motivated Arrests of Senior Lawyer Rezaul Karim & Zahurul Islam Selim in Cumilla

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Paris, France | 10 June 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses deep concern over the alarming trend of politically motivated and unlawful arrests of lawyers in Bangladesh under the current interim government led by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. These arrests target legal professionals for simply fulfilling their duties and expressing differing political views—an egregious violation of professional rights and a grave threat to judicial independence, the rule of law, and fundamental human rights.

BANGLADESH: Interim Government Under Dr. Muhammad Yunus Must Be Held Accountable for Heinous Political Murders and Gross Human Rights Violations

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Paris, France – June 8, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses its deepest condemnation and unreserved outrage over the widespread and systematic political murders perpetrated under the watch of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

According to a report released by the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) on June 6, 2025, at least 123 members of the Awami League and its affiliated organizations were victims of targeted killings between August 5, 2024, and April 30, 2025. Among them, 41 were hacked to death in Taliban-style executions, and 21 others were killed in state custody—a chilling reflection of the collapse of the rule of law and human rights protections in Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Strongly Condemns Unlawful Arrest of Two Former Presidents of Gaibandha District Bar, Demands Immediate Release

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Paris, France | 30 May 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation over the arbitrary arrest of Advocate Ahsanul Karim Lachu, former President and General Secretary of the Gaibandha District Bar Association, on 29 May, and Advocate Faruk Ahmed Prince, former President and Public Prosecutor (PP), on 9 May. Both were detained in connection with vandalism cases related to incidents at the BNP office in July and August 2024. These arrests appear to have been made solely due to the lawyers' professional responsibilities and differing political opinions.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Strongly Condemns Politically Motivated Attempted Murder Case Against 14 Lawyers and 7 Journalists in Dhaka

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Paris, France; May 25, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses deep concern and strongly condemns the attempted murder case filed in Dhaka on January 5, 2025, by a member of Jamaat-e-Islami against 14 prominent lawyers, 7 journalists, and a total of 90 citizens.

JMBF believes this case is clearly politically motivated, vindictive, and an attempt to intimidate professionals for carrying out their duties—an act that violates the Constitution of Bangladesh and internationally recognized human rights standards declared by the United Nations.

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.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Police Brutality Against Peaceful Student and Teacher Protesters in Dhaka

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Paris, France | May 15, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses its strongest condemnation and deepest concern over the brutal and inhumane police assault on peaceful student and teacher protesters from Jagannath University (JnU) during their lawful long march on May 14, 2025, in Dhaka.

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

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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.

Is Love a Crime? State Indifference and the Persecution of Lesbian Women – A Bangladeshi Reality

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Advocate Shahanur Islam

On April 26, 2025, in Faridganj, Chandpur, two teenage girls—Arohi and Ritu—expressed their mutual love and attempted to ‘marry’ each other on their own initiative. That was their "crime." In the eyes of society, their families, and even the state, their relationship was seen as illegal, immoral, and perverse. As a result, instead of validating their love, they were subjected to persecution. 

Pressured by local Islamic fundamentalist groups, their families handed them over to the police. The police, instead of fulfilling their social and legal duties, merely warned them strictly to ensure such an incident would not happen again and returned them to their families the next day—essentially allowing society and religious groups to take over the ‘responsibility’ of correcting them. The state, in this instance, remained a silent spectator, and law enforcement effectively became complicit in the persecution. This reflects the longstanding oppression and state indifference faced by lesbian women in Bangladesh.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Physical Assault, Arbitrary Arrest, and Detention of Three Lawyers in Netrakona and Feni

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Paris, France; May 7, 2025 — France-based human rights watchdog, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses grave concern and unequivocal condemnation over the recent incidents involving the physical assault, arbitrary arrest, and custodial detention of three Bangladeshi lawyers: Advocate Sanjit Kumar Pandit in Netrakona on May 2, and Advocates Shahjahan Saju and Nasir Uddin Bahar in Feni on May 5 and 6, respectively.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Deeply Concerned and Condemns the Brutal Killing of Unarmed Bangladeshi Youth by Indian Border Security Force (BSF)

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Paris, France; May 06, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), unequivocally condemns and protests the brutal killing of Md. Sakib (18), a Bangladeshi unarmed youth, was shot and killed by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on the night of May 4, 2025, at the Madla border area in Kasba upazila, Brahmanbaria. This tragic event, where an innocent life was senselessly taken, constitutes a gross violation of human rights and international law. We demand immediate justice, an independent and transparent investigation, and accountability for all those involved in this horrific incident.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Politically Motivated Case Against 20 Eminent Lawyers and Former Justice of the Bangladesh Supreme Court

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Paris, France | May 5, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights and legal advocacy organization, expresses its deep concern and unequivocal condemnation over the politically motivated and fabricated murder case filed on April 20, 2025, against twenty lawyers, including a former Justice of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik. The case implicates a total of 408 individuals—among them journalists, artists, government officials, teachers, and politicians—accused in connection with the death of Mahfuz Alam Srabon, a BNP activist, during the July Mass Uprising in Mirpur, Dhaka.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Recent Fabrication of Cases Against 30 Journalists in the Wake of the July Student Movement

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Paris, France | May 4, 2025: France-based human rights watchdog, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses grave concern and unequivocal condemnation over the recent filing of two politically motivated and fabricated cases against 30 journalists, including 10 named in both cases, on false charges of murder and attempted murder related to the July 2024 student uprising in Bangladesh. These cases were filed on April 20 and March 20, 2025, respectively.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Condemns Politically Motivated Assault and Arrest of Actor Siddiqur Rahman and Fabricated Charges Against 32 Artists

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Paris, France | May 2, 2025: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the politically motivated physical assault and subsequent arrest of renowned actor Siddiqur Rahman, who was brutally attacked by members of Chhatra Dal, the student wing of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), on April 29, 2025.

In addition, fabricated charges filed in three separate cases on April 30, April 28, and April 20 against 32 other prominent actors represent a broader, orchestrated campaign to silence dissent and suppress artistic and political expression in Bangladesh.

JMBF Raises Alarm Over Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh During Meeting with French Foreign Ministry

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Paris, France | April 30, 2025 — ​JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a Paris-based human rights organization, has expressed serious concerns over the escalating human rights crisis in Bangladesh during a bilateral meeting with the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.​

On April 29, 2025, Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder-President of JMBF, met in Paris with Madame Marjorie Verley, Deputy Head of the South Asia Division and Head of the Bangladesh Desk at the French Foreign Ministry. The meeting focused on what JMBF described as a pattern of "widespread and systematic repression" under the country's interim government, led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.​

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Dismissal of Journalists in Bangladesh for Questioning Cultural Affairs Adviser: Calls for Immediate Reinstatement and Protection of Press Freedom

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Paris, France | April 30, 2025 — France-based human rights watchdog, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns the arbitrary dismissal of three journalists—Mizanur Rahman (Deepto TV), Fazle Rabbi(ATN Bangla), and Rafiqul Bashar (Channel i)—following their professional conduct in questioning Bangladesh’s Cultural Affairs Adviser, Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, during a press conference held on April 28, 2025.

The subsequent suspension of news broadcasts by Deepto TV and punitive actions taken by three major television networks, apparently under pressure from online threats issued by a group identifying as the July Revolutionary Alliance (JRA), represents a grave attack on press freedom, democratic accountability, and the fundamental human rights guaranteed under Bangladesh’s Constitution and international law.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Attack on Former Law Minister and Senior Advocate Anisul Huq at Narayanganj Court

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Paris, France; April 29, 2025: France-based human rights watchdog, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses its strongest condemnation and deepest outrage over the reprehensible assault on former Law Minister and senior lawyer Advocate Anisul Huq at the entrance of the Narayanganj court premises on April 28, 2025.

JMBF asserts that this shameful and violent act — carried out in broad daylight by a section of lawyers, individuals who are themselves, officers of the court — is an attack not only on Advocate Anisul Huq personally but also on the very principles of justice, rule of law, and judicial independence that underpin a democratic society. The courtroom and its surroundings are sacred spaces for the administration of justice, where violence and intimidation must have no place under any circumstances.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Gravely Concerned About the Arbitrary Arrest of Senior Lawyer Advocate M.M. Mujibur Rahman in Khulna

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Paris, France; April 28, 2025 – The France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns and expresses grave concern over the recent arbitrary arrest of Advocate M.M. Mujibur Rahman, former president and general secretary, and senior lawyer of the Khulna District Bar Association, on April 22, 2025, under the draconian Special Powers Act, 1974.

JMBF asserts that the arrest of Advocate M.M. Mujibur Rahman represents a serious and flagrant abuse of power by the authorities of Bangladesh. This action is not only unjust but also a direct attack on the core principles of justice, freedom, and democracy. Such acts of arbitrary detention violate the fundamental rights guaranteed under both the Constitution of Bangladesh and international human rights law, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the UN Basic Principles on the Independence of Lawyers and Judges.

JMBF Files Urgent Formal Complaint to UN Over Detention and Torture of Barrister Turin Afroz

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Paris, April 27, 2025 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has formally submitted a complaint to the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures, urging immediate intervention in the case of Barrister Turin Afroz, who they say has been subjected to grave human rights violations in Bangladesh.

In their submission, sent on April 26, 2025, JMBF addressed three UN Special Rapporteurs — on the Independence of Lawyers and Judges, on Torture, and on Arbitrary Arrest — detailing allegations of arbitrary arrest, custodial torture, and denial of the right to a fair trial.