Obstructing Bar Association Elections on Political Grounds: Is This the BNP Government’s Newly Invented Democracy?

Advocate Shahanur Islam

Throughout Bangladesh’s history, whenever democracy has weakened, the first blows have fallen upon its institutions. The judiciary, universities, the media, and professional organizations have gradually been transformed into testing grounds for political loyalty. What is currently unfolding within the country’s bar associations is merely a new version of the same dangerous trend established during the previous interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Condemns Exclusion of 39 Pro-Awami League Lawyers from Gazipur Bar Election

Paris, France | 14 May 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the reported denial of nomination papers to 39 lawyers seeking to contest the 2026 Gazipur District Bar Association election as independent candidates on the basis of their alleged political affiliation with the Bangladesh Awami League on 10 May 2026. The election is scheduled to be held on 21 May 2026.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Obstruction Against Pro-Awami League Lawyers in Upcoming CDBA Election

Paris, France | 10 May 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the reported obstruction, intimidation, and assault on pro-Awami League lawyers during the nomination process for the upcoming election of the Chattogram District Bar Association (CDBA) on 4 May 2026.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over the Cancellation of 42 Pro-AL Lawyer Nominations in SCBA Polls

Paris, France | 28 April, 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the decision of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to cancel the nomination papers of more than 42 lawyers allegedly affiliated with the Awami League, effectively barring them from contesting the upcoming SCBA elections scheduled for May 13–14, 2026.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Condemns Politically Motivated Cancellation of Lawyers’ Nominations in Munshiganj and Mymensingh

Paris, France | 17 April 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern, strong condemnation, and profound outrage over the recent pattern of irregularities, discriminatory treatment against legal professionals, cancellation of candidacies of pro-Awami League lawyers solely on the basis of political ideology, obstruction of their participation in elections, and police interference in the elections of various district bar associations across Bangladesh, including Munshiganj, Mymensingh, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Jhalakathi, Khulna, Narail, and Sunamganj, under the tenure of the newly formed Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over Obstruction to Participation of Pro-Awami League Lawyers in Bar Association Elections

Paris, France | 15 April 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern, strong condemnation, and protest over serious allegations in recent bar association elections in Dhaka, Shariatpur, Chandpur, Dinajpur, and Naogaon, where Bangladesh Awami League-aligned lawyers and independent candidates were obstructed from participating, prevented from submitting nomination papers, and, in some cases, even subjected to physical harassment solely due to their political ideology.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over the Arrest of 2 Lawyers in Sunamganj

Paris, France | 27 March 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strongly condemns the arrest of two lawyers, Advocate Monish Kanti Dey (Mintu) and Advocate Mizanur Rahman (Shamim), and the filing of a case under the Anti-Terrorism Act against 27 lawyers on 26 March, following an incident in Sunamganj where lawyers paid tribute to the martyrs on the occasion of Independence and National Day by placing wreaths at the memorial and chanting patriotic slogans.

PRESS RELEASE: JMBF's Statement on the International Day of Endangered Lawyers 2026

Paris, France | 23 January 2026: On 24 January 2026, on the occasion of the International Day of Endangered Lawyers, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is compelled to state an uncomfortable truth: the gravest threat to the independence of lawyers in Bangladesh today stems not from chaos, but from governance failure under the current interim government led by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus.

JOINT STATEMENT: Lawyer Killed in Mob Violence While Seeking High Court Bail in False and Fabricated Case Linked to Anti-Discrimination Movement in Bangladesh

France, Poland, Egypt, India, Srilanka, Kazakhstan, Indonesia | 09 January 2026: We, the undersigned human rights organizations, bar associations and individual legal experts, express our deep shock and grave concern over the brutal killing of Advocate Nayem Kibria (35), a pro–Awami League lawyer and practicing member of the Pabna District Judge Court, who was beaten to death by an organized mob in the Bashundhara Residential Area of Dhakaon the night of 31 December 2025.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Deeply Condemns the Killing of a Pro–Awami League Lawyer in Organised Mob Violence

Paris, France | 01 January 2026: Paris-based human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is deeply shocked and gravely concerned over the brutal killing of Advocate Nayem Kibria (35), a pro–Awami League lawyer and a practising member of the Pabna District Judge Court, who was beaten to death by an organised mob in the Bashundhara Residential Area of Dhaka on the night of 31 December 2025.

UPDATE ALERT: JMBF Gravely Concerned and Strongly Condemns the Continuing Threats Against Advocate Mohammad Alamgir, Secretary General of JMBF

Paris, France | 28 November 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned and strongly condemns the ongoing threats and intimidation directed at Advocate Mohammad Alamgir, a member of the District Bar Association Dhaka & Brahmanbaria and the Secretary General of JMBF. JMBF firmly believes that these incidents constitute a deeply alarming attack on the independence of the legal profession and on the safety of a committed human rights defender.

Simultaneously, JMBF urges the Interim Government of Bangladesh to take immediate and effective steps to ensure the safety and security of Advocate Alamgir. JMBF also calls upon the authorities to swiftly arrest all individuals involved in issuing these threats, following a genuinely independent judicial investigation led by a Justice of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Condemns Threats to Defense Lawyer at the International Crimes Tribunal in 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; 26 November 2025: Human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the public threats made to the defense lawyer of an accused at the International Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka by Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam on 23 November 2025, during a hearing concerning enforced disappearance cases.

Law Society of England and Wales Condemns Targeting of Lawyers in Bangladesh

"Pour consulter les versions complètes en français, faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur ‘Voir plus’.”

Paris, 22 November 2025: The Law Society of England and Wales, representing over 200,000 lawyers, has expressed grave concern over the escalating harassment and reprisals against legal professionals in Bangladesh. 

On 20 November 2025, the Society’s President, Mr. Mark Evans, sent an urgent letter to Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Honourable Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh; Ms. Sarah Cooke, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh; and Prof. Margaret Satterthwaite, UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers (OHCHR-UNOG), Geneva.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Attempted Arrest of Its Secretary General, Advocate Mohammad Alamgir, and the Continuing Attacks on Lawyers Across Bangladesh.

“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 | 12 November 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the recent series of brutal attacks, harassment, false cases, and arbitrary arrests of lawyers in Rangpur, Shariyatpur, Sherpur & Patuakhali including the attempted arrest of JMBF Secretary General and member of the Dhaka Bar Association, former Assistant Public Prosecutor of the 7th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court, Advocate Mohammad Alamgir, at his village home in Brahmanbaria on the night of 8 November.

JOINT STATEMENT: Crackdown Against the Independence of Lawyers in Bangladesh Under the Interim Government

Faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur « Plus » pour lire le communiqué complet en français.

France/ Belgium/ Poland/ Egypt/ Thailand/ Kazakhstan/ India; November 5, 2025: The JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), the National Bar Council (CNB), the International Observatory of Lawyers at Risk (OIAD), the Arrested Lawyers Initiative, the Arab Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and the Legal Profession (ACIJLP), the International Association of People’s Lawyers – Monitoring Committee on Attacks on Lawyers, the People’s Vigilance Committee on Human Rights (PVCHR), the Banglar Manabadhikar Suraksha Mancha (MASUM), the 'NEVER AGAIN' Association, the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN), the Public Association Dignity, the Programme Against Custodial Torture and Impunity (PACTI), the Solidarité Internationale LGBTQI (SIL) and the Families of the Disappeared (FOD) express grave concern over the contineous politically motivated repression against the independence of the legal community in Bangladesh under the current Interim Government.

JMBF Report 2025: Crackdown Against Independence of Lawyers in Bangladesh under Interim Government

Paris, October 30, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), with the technical support of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), today released its groundbreaking report,“JMBF Report 2025: Crackdown Against Independence of Lawyers in Bangladesh under the Interim Government (August 2024 – September 2025).”

PRESS RELEASE: JMBF Releases 2025 Report on Crackdown Against Independence of Lawyers in Bangladesh under the Interim Government

“বাংলা ভাষার সম্পূর্ণ সংবাদ বিজ্ঞপ্তি পড়ার জন্য নিচে স্ক্রল করে ‘More’ এ ক্লিক করুন।” « Faites défiler vers le bas et cliquez sur “More” pour lire le communiqué de presse complet en français. »

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Paris, October 30, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), with the technical support of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), today released its groundbreaking report,“JMBF Report 2025: Crackdown Against Independence of Lawyers in Bangladesh under the Interim Government (August 2024 – September 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.

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.

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.