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

Thursday, October 16, 2025

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF expresses deep concern and strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and imprisonment of six lawyers in Naogaon and Dhaka.

“বাংলা ভাষার সম্পূর্ণ সংস্করণ দেখার জন্য, নিচে স্ক্রল করে ‘More’ এ ক্লিক করুন।” "Pour consulter les versions complètes en français, faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur ‘Voir plus’.”
Paris, France; 16 October 2025:
Human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is strongly alarmed and condemns the recent arbitrary arrest, re-arrest, and imprisonment of six senior lawyers in Naogaon and Dhaka on false and fabricated charges filed under the July assassination attempt, Explosive Substances Act, and Anti-Terrorism Act, solely for conducting professional activities and for holding differing political opinions. JMBF also demands the immediate release of the arrested and detained lawyers and the unconditional withdrawal of all cases filed against them.

Thursday, October 9, 2025

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned and Strongly Condemns Continuous Threats and Attacks Against JMBF Secretary General Advocate Mohammad Alamgir

"Pour consulter les versions complètes en français, faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur ‘Voir plus’.”
Paris, France; October 09, 2025:
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deepest concern and strongest condemnation over the continuous threats, intimidation, and violent attacks directed against Advocate Mohammad Alamgir, the respected Secretary General of JMBF, for his courageous and professional engagement in defending victims of persecution, including members of the LGBTQI+ community, and for upholding the rule of law and justice in Bangladesh.

Over the past year, Advocate Alamgir has been repeatedly subjected to life-threatening attacks, harassment, and extortion demands by individuals and groups affiliated with BNP–Jamaat and Islamic fundamentalist elements, who have sought to silence him for his unwavering commitment to human rights and justice.

Monday, October 6, 2025

How the Yunus-Led Interim Government Has Turned Justice into a Tool of Political Repression in Bangladesh

By Advocate Shahanur Islam

I. The Criminalization of Law and Lawyers

It began, as so many stories of injustice do, with a courtroom and a promise of fairness that never came.

Instead of being released on bail granted by the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, on 4 September 2025, Khodadad Khan Pitu (60), former President of the Naogaon District Bar Association and President of the Human Rights Lawyers’ Forum, Naogaon, was re-arrested by Naogaon Sadar police from the gate of Naogaon District Jail. On 5 September, he was produced before the court in connection with a 2024 case filed over an incident in 2022 under the Explosive Substances Act, and the court ordered him sent to jail.

Wednesday, September 24, 2025

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern Over Re-Arrest of 10 High Court-Bailed Lawyers at Jail Gate on Sabotage Charges in Barguna

“বাংলা ভাষার সম্পূর্ণ সংস্করণ দেখার জন্য, নিচে স্ক্রল করে ‘More’ এ ক্লিক করুন।” "Pour consulter les versions complètes en français, faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur ‘Voir plus’.”
Paris, France; 24 September 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep anger and condemnation over the re-arrest of 10 lawyers in Barguna who had secured bail from the High Court. On 15 September, just as they were about to be released, they were re-arrested at the jail gate on charges of sabotage and sent back to prison.

JMBF firmly believes that this incident constitutes a blatant violation of the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and human rights in Bangladesh, and reflects clear political retaliation. Such actions not only undermine justice and democracy but also seriously threaten the safety and professional independence of lawyers, with a deeply negative impact on Bangladesh’s democratic system and human rights situation.

Thursday, September 4, 2025

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned and Strongly Condemns the Imprisonment of 12 Pro-Awami Lawyers in Barguna

To read the Bengali and French versions, please scroll down and click ‘More’
Paris, France | 4 September 2025:
France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the rejection of bail petitions and the subsequent imprisonment of 12 pro-Awami League lawyers on 2 September 2025 in Barguna, carried out with the sole intention of obstructing the professional duties of lawyers through politically motivated actions.

JMBF firmly believes that this incident constitutes a clear violation of the Bangladesh Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers, all of which guarantee the fundamental right of lawyers to professional independence. This development poses a grave threat to the rule of law, democracy, and national security in Bangladesh.

Monday, September 1, 2025

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF expresses deep concern and strongly condemns recent attacks, arrests, and fabricated cases against 19 lawyers across various districts in the country.

To read the Bengali and French versions, please scroll down and click ‘More’

Paris, France | 02 September 2025:
France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound concern and strong condemnation of these incidents of escalating attacks, arrests, fabricated cases, and harassment of lawyers across several districts in Bangladesh, solely due to the mere fulfillment of professional duties and political beliefs.

Friday, August 15, 2025

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over False Attempted Murder Case Against Supreme Court Lawyers and Violent Attacks on Lawyers During Hearings

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Paris, France; 15 August 2025:
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation over two incidents: the filing of false and fabricated cases against 65 lawyers, including the former Attorney General, President, and Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar, for attempted murder on 13 August 2025 at Shahbagh Police Station, as well as the physical assault and harassment of other lawyers on 11 August 2025 during the bail hearing of former Chief Justice Khairul Haque in the High Court.

JMBF firmly believes that these incidents pose a serious threat to lawyers performing their professional duties independently. These actions are a clear violation of the Constitution, human rights, and international norms. Ensuring the independence of the judiciary and the safety of lawyers in Bangladesh is essential to upholding both national and international human rights standards.

Friday, August 1, 2025

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Arbitrary Arrest of 5 Lawyers and Fabricated Cases Against 12 in Barguna, Satkhira, Gazipur, Bogura, and Gopalganj

To read the Bengali and French versions, please scroll down and click ‘More’.
Paris, France; 01 August 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses its deep concern and strong protest over the recent politically motivated and arbitrary arrests and detention of five respected lawyers, as well as the filing of false cases against twelve others in various districts of Bangladesh—namely Barguna, Satkhira, Gazipur, Bogura, and Gopalganj—solely for carrying out their professional duties and holding differing political opinions.

JMBF firmly believes that targeting lawyers solely because of their professional conduct or political beliefs constitutes a clear and blatant violation of the fundamental human rights enshrined by the United Nations.

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

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

To read the Bengali and French versions, please scroll down and click ‘More’.
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.

Monday, July 7, 2025

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.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

BANGLADESH: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Repressive Cases Against 55 Senior Lawyers of Gazipur District Bar, Imprisonment of Two Seniors, and Interference with Professional Independence

To read the Bengali and French versions, please scroll down and click ‘More’.

Paris, France; July 1, 2025: The France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is deeply concerned and alarmed that at least 55 experienced and senior lawyers of the Gazipur District Bar have faced more than 70 cases filed from August 2024 to June 2025. These cases arose in the context of student and mass movements during July-August 2024, accusing them of “murder,” “terrorism,” and “anti-state activities.”

Most of the accused have long held leadership roles within the Gazipur District Bar, serving as important pillars of the judicial system and performing their professional duties with honor.

Monday, June 23, 2025

BANGLADESH: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Cancellation of Memberships of 16 Lawyers of Jhalokathi District Bar Association

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Paris, France I June 23, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strong protest over the arbitrary cancellation of the memberships of 16 experienced and prominent lawyers of the Jhalokathi District Bar Association on June 16, 2025. This action was reportedly taken solely due to their affiliation with the Bangladesh Awami League and their professional roles as Public Prosecutors, Assistant Public Prosecutors, Presidents, Secretaries, and Executive Members of the Bar Association.

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

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

To read the English and French versions, scroll below.
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.

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

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

To read the Bengali and French versions, scroll below.
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.

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

BANGLADESH: JMBF Condemns Arrest of Two Senior Lawyers in Jhenaidah and Kurigram; Demands Immediate and Unconditional Release

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Paris, France; June 3, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the arrest of two prominent senior lawyers from the District Bar Associations of Jhenaidah and Kurigram—Advocate Bikash Kumar Ghosh and Advocate Amjad Hossain. The arrests are widely viewed as repressive, politically motivated, and acts of vengeance, carried out solely because the lawyers were performing their professional duties and exercising their right to freedom of political expression.

Friday, May 30, 2025

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.

Sunday, May 25, 2025

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

To read the Bengali and French versions, scroll below.
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.

Thursday, May 22, 2025

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

To read the Bengali and French versions, scroll below.
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.

Sunday, May 18, 2025

Press & Public Statement: JMBF deeply concerns and strongly condemns over politically motivated charges against 21 lawyers in Barguna!

To read the Bengali and French versions, scroll below.
Paris, France; May 18, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, has expressed deep concern and strong condemnation regarding the filing of a politically motivated case against 21 lawyers in Barguna under the Special Powers Act and Explosives Act on April 30, 2025.

JMBF strongly urges the current interim government to immediately withdraw the case and ensure that no lawyer is subjected to harassment due to their professional duties or differing political views.

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

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

"Veuillez lire la version française ci-dessous."
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.