Showing posts with label LAWYER. Show all posts
Showing posts with label LAWYER. Show all posts

Monday, February 10, 2025

Press and Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arbitrary Arrests of Six Lawyers in Different Parts of Bangladesh for Opposing Political Beliefs

Paris, France; February 10, 2025 – France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns and is deeply concerned over the recent wave of politically motivated arbitrary arrests of six lawyers in different parts of Bangladesh. These include Advocate Nurul Huda, Advocate Zahir Uddin, and Advocate Javed Hossain Monowar from the Lakshmipur Bar Association on February 3, 2025, and December 14, 2024; Advocate Aman Ullah Akash, President of the Jamalpur Bar Association on February 3, 2025; Advocate Rabiul Islam Robi from the Dhaka Bar Association on December 24, 2024; and Advocate Momtaz Uddin Mehdi, former Deputy Attorney General and Supreme Court Bar General Secretary on November 10, 2024. These arbitrary arrests represent a clear violation of fundamental rights and a direct attack on the independence of the legal profession, setting a dangerous precedent for the rule of law in Bangladesh.

JMBF asserts that the arrest and detention of these six lawyers have been carried out without due process, solely based on their professional and political engagements. Most of them have been implicated in cases where they were neither directly named in the First Information Report (FIR) nor had any evidence presented against them but were instead included in lists of unidentified suspects. In some cases, bail petitions were rejected outright, and they were sent to jail without any credible legal justification, reflecting an alarming pattern of judicial suppression aimed at silencing dissenting voices.

Thursday, January 30, 2025

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Forceful Withdrawal of Candidature in District Advocate Bar Association Election 2025 in Naogaon and Sirajganj

Paris, France; January 30, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the recent violent and unlawful actions that have taken place in the relation of District Advocate Bar Association Executive Body Elections, held on January 30, 2025, across various regions of Bangladesh, including Naogaon, Sirajganj, and Rajbari.

The incidents on January 25 & 24, 2025, in NaogaonJanuary 16, 2025, in Sirajganj, and January 29, 2025, in Rajbari, where members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and political figures affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Amar Bangla (AB) Party forced the withdrawal of independent and Coordinated Lawyer Council candidates backed by the Bangladesh Awami League for the District Advocate Bar Association Executive Body Election 2025 through physical assault, harassment, coercion, threats of violence, and intimidation, represent a gross violation of human rights. These actions are a direct attack on the very principles of justice, rule of law, and democracy.

JMBF calls on the Bangladesh Government to take immediate and decisive action to hold the perpetrators accountable, cancel these one-sided elections, and reschedule the date for the District Advocate Bar Association Election. Additionally, JMBF demands that the government ensure the safety of all candidates and lawyers involved in these elections and guarantee that these violent acts never again threaten the democratic rights of the people of Bangladesh.

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

Recruitment Announcement: Bar Representative-Lawyer (Volunteer, Unpaid)

Position: Bar Representative-Lawyer (Volunteer, Unpaid)
Organization: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Programme: Combatting Violence Against Lawyers in Bangladesh

About Us:

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is a France-based, independent, non-profit, and nonpartisan human rights organization registered in France (Registration No. W931027714 under the Association Law of 1901). JMBF is dedicated to defending human rights, advocating for justice, and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond. Learn more at www.jmbf.org.

Our mission is to promote, defend, and educate on human rights, including civil and political rights, irrespective of sex, caste, race, or faith. We provide legal advocacy and support for Bangladeshi lawyers who are at risk due to their professional work addressing human rights violations.

JMBF is currently seeking passionate and committed Bar Representatives-Lawyers (volunteer, unpaid) for all courts to join our Combatting Violence Against Lawyers in Bangladesh Programme.

Friday, January 17, 2025

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Unjust Imprisonment of Eight Lawyers in Khulna: Calls for Immediate Release & Dropping of Charges

Paris, France; January 17, 2025: The France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), is deeply concerned and strongly protests the politically motivated imprisonment of eight pro-Awami League lawyers, as well as the implication of 28 pro-Awami League lawyers of the Khulna District Lawyers' Association in false and fabricated cases by pro-BNP lawyers. On January 12, 2025, these legal professionals were unjustly detained following an order by Khulna Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Sharif Hossain Haider, in connection with a case that many believe to be fabricated and politically driven.

JMBF asserts that this incident is not just an attack on these individual lawyers—it is an assault on the fundamental principles of justice, legal independence, and democracy in Bangladesh. The use of the judiciary as a tool to silence political opposition is a deeply troubling sign of authoritarianism creeping into the legal system. The very professionals who uphold the law are now being victimized by the system they have sworn to serve.

JMBF urges the immediate release of all eight detained lawyers, as well as the dropping of charges against all 28 lawyers without conditions.

Monday, December 30, 2024

Statement: JMBF Expresses Grave Concern Over Harassment and Abuse of Minority Communities in Chittagong

Paris, France; December 30, 2024:
 France-based human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over the widespread harassment, extortion, and abuse of power targeting vulnerable Hindu religious and Dalit minority communities in Chittagong. These actions, perpetrated by law enforcement under the guise of investigating the tragic murder of lawyer Saiful Islam (Alif) at the Chittagong court premises, reveal a lack of impartiality and fairness in the investigative process.  

JMBF strongly urges the government to ensure the safety, dignity, and protection of marginalized groups, including the Harijan community. The incidents of vandalism, harassment, and communal violence following the murder of lawyer Saiful Islam must be thoroughly investigated, and the perpetrators must be held accountable without delay.

Monday, December 23, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arbitrary Arrest of Lawyer Syed Kabir Hossain Jony in Jessore

Paris, France; December 23, 2024:
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a prominent France-based human rights organization, strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest of lawyer Syed Kabir Hossain Jony, a member of the Jashore District Bar Association, by Jashore police on December 22, 2024, for merely performing his professional duty.

This deeply troubling action, taken shortly after Mr. Jony represented 167 Awami League leaders and activists in court, constitutes a grave violation of human rights and undermines national and international principles safeguarding the independence of lawyers and the judiciary.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France urges the Government of Bangladesh to immediately and unconditionally release Syed Kabir Hossain Jony and drop all charges against him that criminalize his professional duties as a lawyer, as well as ensure the protection of all legal professionals from harassment and intimidation.

Thursday, November 28, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF is Deeply Concerned and Condemns the Killing of Lawyer Saiful Islam and Police Brutality During Protests in Chittagong

Paris, France; November 28, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) unequivocally expresses its deep concern and condemnation of the brutal killing of lawyer Saiful Islam, a 32-year-old member of the Chattogram District Bar Association and Assistant Public Prosecutor at the Chattogram Court, during the violent clashes on November 26, 2024. This heinous crime, committed amid a chaotic confrontation between law enforcement and protesters supporting Hindu religious leader and Spokesperson of the United Sanatoni Jagoran Alliance, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, is a grave attack on justice and the legal community.

JMBF also strongly denounces police brutality during the protests, where law enforcement agencies, including the police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), resorted to batons and sound grenades, injuring at least 10 people. The indiscriminate violence against protesters is a clear violation of their fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and expression. Such actions only exacerbate tensions and undermine the rule of law.

Thursday, November 7, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Physical Assault on Lawyer During Court Hearing of Former Minister Amir Hossain

Paris, France; November 07, 2024:
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the violent physical assault on Advocate Swapan Krishna Roy Chowdhury on 7 November 2024, during the remand hearing of former minister and Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu. This act, committed in the presence of a magistrate at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, undermines not only the safety and independence of legal professionals but also threatens the foundational right to a fair trial.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns Arbitrary Arrest and Inhumane Treatment of Barrister Syedul Haque Sumon, Calls for Immediate Release and Investigation

Paris, France; October 22, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and degrading treatment of Barrister Syed Syedul Haque Sumon, a former Member of Parliament, renowned social worker, anti-corruption activist, and lawyer, who was detained by police in the early hours of October 22, 2024, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. His arrest, on questionable charges related to the anti-discrimination student movement, along with his inhumane treatment while in custody, represents a grave violation of national and international human rights standards.

Monday, October 21, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Attempted Murder Case Filed Against Prominent Lawyer and Human Rights Defender ZI Khan Panna in Dhaka

Paris, France; October 21, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the baseless and politically motivated filing of an attempted murder case against the distinguished Supreme Court lawyer, human rights defender, and chairman of the renowned human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), ZI Khan Panna, on October 17, 2024.

The case, brought by Md Baker at Khilgaon police station, accuses 180 individuals, including Mr. Panna, of involvement in the July 19, 2024, incident in Meradia Bazar during the anti-quota movement protests. This charge is clearly an attempt to stifle his advocacy for justice and human rights in Bangladesh, as well as retaliation for his criticism of the current government led by Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus—a blatant violation of human rights.

Sunday, October 20, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Urgently Calls for Justice and the Unconditional Release of Lawyers Mustafizur Rahman and Akram Hossain in Dhaka

Paris, France; October 20, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its grave concern and strongly protests the recent arbitrary arrests of two lawyers associated with the Dhaka Lawyers Association while carrying out their professional duties. We urgently call for justice and the unconditional release of Advocates Mustafizur Rahman and Akram Hossain, who were detained solely for fulfilling their roles as defense lawyers.

Advocate Mustafizur Rahman Talukdar Dipu, the former Senior Deputy General Secretary of the Dhaka Lawyers Association, and Advocate Kazi Akram Hossain were unjustly arrested on the night of October 16, 2024, by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Civil Police on false charges of murder. This act clearly threatens their professional integrity and constitutes a violation of their human rights.

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Politically Motivated Arbitrary Arrests of Prominent Cultural Figures, Journalists, and Lawyers in Bangladesh

Paris, France; September 18, 2024: France-based human rights organization, Justicemakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), has expressed profound concern over the politically motivated arbitrary arrests of prominent cultural activist Asaduzzaman Noor, writer and researcher Shahriar Kabir, Supreme Court lawyers Nurul Islam Sujan and Mahbub Ali, and journalists Mozammel Babu and Shyamal Dutta. JMBF is calling for the unconditional release of these distinguished cultural figures, writers, journalists, and lawyers, as well as the immediate withdrawal of all baseless charges filed against them

Wednesday, September 4, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Gravely Concerned Over Politically Motivated Murder Case Filed Against Several Prominent Lawyers

Paris, France; September 04, 2024 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the politically motivated charges filed against a group of highly respected legal professionals, including former Law Minister Barrister Shafiq Ahmed, former Attorney General AM Amin Uddin, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Tania Amir, and others in connection with the killing of a student protester on September 1, 2024.

Thursday, August 15, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Denial of Legal Representation During Proceedings Against Salman F Rahman and Advocate Anisul Huq in Bangladesh

Paris, France; August 15, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation regarding the recent legal proceedings involving Mr. Salman F Rahman, private industry and investment adviser to former Prime Minister and former law minister Advocate Anisul Huq in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The developments surrounding their arrest and subsequent treatment in the courtroom on August 14, 2024, are alarming and indicative of a politically motivated misuse of the legal system.

According to a report published in The Daily Star today on August 15, 2024, Mr. Rahman and Mr. Huq were placed on a 10-day remand by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mamunur Rashid on yesterday August 14, 2024, in connection with a case over the death of a shopkeeper in New Market on July 16, 2024. It is deeply troubling that during the court proceedings, pro-BNP-Jamaat lawyers actively prevented any legal representation for the accused. Two lawyers who bravely attempted to represent Mr. Rahman and Advocate Huq were not only denied entry into the courtroom but were also subjected to physical assault by unruly BNP-Jamaat lawyers.

Saturday, November 4, 2023

Statement: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Outrage over Arbitrary Arrests and Police Brutality against Pro BNP-Jamaat Lawyers in Bangladesh.

Paris, France: November 4, 2023 - JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) deeply expresses concern and outrage over the arbitrary arrests, fabrication of false cases, and the occurrence of police brutality against lawyers associated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh during peaceful demonstrations and protests in Dhaka and Faridpur.

France-based human rights organization, JMBF, calls for the identification of the accused through an impartial investigation led by a High Court Judge and the immediate, unconditional release of the arrested lawyers, along with the dropping of all charges against them.

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

Statement: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern over the Police Attack on Pro-BNP Lawyers' Protest March in Dhaka


Paris, France: 12th September 2023 - The human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed profound concern and anger over the police attack that resulted in injuries to 12 lawyers during a protest march by BNP lawyers demanding the resignation of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a Paris-based human rights organization, is calling for a swift and impartial investigation into the incident of the police attack and immediate punishment following a transparent trial under criminal law for those responsible.

Thursday, August 10, 2023

জেএমবিএফ’’র বাংলাদেশে আইনজীবীদের বিরুদ্ধে সহিংসতার বার্ষিক প্রতিবেদন প্রকাশ!

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 প্রতিবেদনে  ২০২২ 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।

JMBF Publishes Comprehensive Annual Report on Violence Against Lawyers in Bangladesh for 2022

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.

Friday, July 21, 2023

PRESS STATEMENT:JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Condemns the Tragic Demise of Bangladeshi Lawyer Lutful Kabir

[Paris, France: 21st July 2023]
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the untimely and tragic demise of lawyer Mr. Lutful Kabir Nowroz, whose lifeless body was found in a pond in Khulna's Batiaghata upazila on Sunday evening, 16th July 2023.

Lutful Kabir Nowroz, 58, served as the Public Prosecutor (PP) of the Anti-Corruption Special Tribunal in Khulna, southern Bangladesh, dedicating his life to upholding justice and fighting against corruption. His sudden disappearance and subsequent discovery in the pond have shocked the entire legal community and brought immense sorrow to all those who knew and worked with him.

Sunday, July 9, 2023

PRESS STATEMENT: Justicemakers Bangladesh Condemns Torture of Apprentice Lawyer Runa Laila in Dhaka's Kashimpur Jail

Justicemakers Bangladesh, a human rights organization, expresses deep concern and anger over the physical and mental torture endured by apprentice lawyer Runa Laila in Dhaka's Kashimpur prison. The torture was carried out by an expelled leader of the Jubo Mahila League, an organ of the ruling government party, with the active participation and support of the prison staff on June 19.