JMBF Quarterly eNewsletter: July-September 2025

As we conclude the third quarter (July to September) of 2025, we are inspired by what has been achieved and energised by what lies ahead. This year began with a clear intention: to embrace new challenges, set bold goals, and recommit to sustainable progress. In just a few months, that vision has already taken root, fuelled by the passion of partners, volunteers, and everyday changemakers.

Their dedication reminds us that true impact is not only about scale, but about depth, connection, and consistency. The stories, reports, and actions highlighted in this edition are a testament to that spirit of resilience and solidarity. Looking forward, we are preparing to launch new initiatives—rooted in innovation, equity, and empowerment—that will expand access, strengthen partnerships, and uplift unheard voices.

JMBF Leaders Raise Alarming Concerns over Violence against LGBTQI+ People in Bangladesh at International Conference in France

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

Paris, France; August 22, 2025: Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), and Advocate Mohammad Alamgir, Secretary General of JMBF, joined the 2025 Euro-Mediterranean Summer Universities of Homosexualities (UEEH), held from August 10 to 21, 2025, in Vic-en-Bigorre, France.

UEEH, first launched in 1979, is one of the world’s longest-standing international initiatives created entirely by and for LGBTQIA+ communities. Unlike conventional conferences, it functions as a self-organized grassroots gathering, where participants live and work together in a setting rooted in solidarity, inclusivity, and mutual respect. Over the years, it has become a vital platform for knowledge exchange, activism, and community building across Europe, the Mediterranean, and beyond.

The Relentless Defender: How Advocate Shahanur Islam Became the Conscience of Bangladesh’s Legal Resistance

In the shadows of courtrooms and far from the glow of headlines, one man continues to risk his life for the rule of law. Advocate Shahanur Islam, a veteran Bangladeshi human rights lawyer, has spent the last two decades challenging a legal system plagued by corruption, police brutality, and discrimination. Now living in exile, his voice echoes louder than ever through legal reports, international appeals, and grassroots activism.

The Making of a Maverick

Born in northern Bangladesh, Islam's journey to law was not one of privilege, but of purpose. By his late twenties, he had already founded the JusticeMakers Bangladesh (JMBD) and later the international platform JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). Through these initiatives, he began documenting torture, false arrests, and violence against vulnerable communities.

“Justice isn’t just an idea—it’s a fight,” Islam says. “And it’s a fight we cannot afford to lose.”

JMBF Quarterly eNewsletter: April-June 2025

You can access the full newsletter in PDF format by clicking here.

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.

JMBF Secretary General Attends Queer Film Screening at French Ambassador’s Residence in Dhaka

Dhaka, Bangladesh; June 25, 2025: Advocate Mohammad Alamgir, Secretary General of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), attended a special queer film screening hosted by the Embassy of France in Dhaka, held at the official residence of Her Excellency Ms. Marie Masdupuy, Ambassador of France to Bangladesh.

The event was organized as part of Queer Week 2025, a global initiative celebrating LGBTQI+ culture, identity, and rights through art and dialogue. The French Embassy’s initiative offered a safe and inclusive space for conversation and representation of queer voices through cinema.

পবিত্র ঈদ উল আযহার শুভেচ্ছা ও অভিনন্দন!

*********************************************************************************** JMBF is an independent non-profit, nonpartisan human rights organization registered in France with registration number W931027714 under the association law of 1901, dedicated to defending human rights, fighting for justice, and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond.

JMBF Celebrates International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia 2025!

To read the Bengali and French versions, scroll below.

Paris, May 18, 2025: France-based human rights organization Justicemakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOT) 2025. On May 17, the organization issued a press release and marked the occasion by publishing the “Annual LGBTQI+ Rights Report in Bangladesh – 2024.” As part of the celebration, the organization also organized an international conference titled "Lawyers’ Commitment to Protect LGBTQI+ Rights" on May 13 at the French National Bar Council Conference Room.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France Joins International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances

To read the Bengali and French versions, scroll below.

Paris, May 17, 2025 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization advocating for justice and accountability in Bangladesh, has officially joined the International Coalition Against Enforced Disappearances (ICAED) as of May 16, 2025, following a formal consultation and approval by the ICAED Executive Committee.

PRESS RELEASE: JMBF Releases 2024 Annual Report on the State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh

To read the full report, click here: Annual State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2024.

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.

সংবাদ বিজ্ঞপ্তি: মানবাধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠান জেএমবিএফ-এর বাংলাদেশের বার্ষিক সমকামী অধিকার প্রতিবেদন ২০২৪ প্রকাশ

সম্পূর্ণ প্রতিবেদনটি পড়তে এখানে ক্লিক করুন: বাংলাদেশে এলজিবিটিকিউআই+ অধিকার বিষয়ক বাৎসরিক প্রতিবেদন ২০২৪।

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।

Communiqué de Presse: JMBF publie le Rapport Annuel 2024 sur l'État des Droits des Personnes LGBTQI+ au Bangladesh

Pour lire le rapport complet, cliquez ici : État annuel des droits LGBTQI+ au Bangladesh 2024.

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.

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

To read the Bengali and French versions, scroll below.

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.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Receives Voting Membership in CIVICUS

To read the Bengali and French versions, scroll below.

Paris, May 13, 2025 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has officially been granted voting membership in CIVICUS – World Alliance for Citizen Participation, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to promote justice and civic engagement on a global scale.

The membership, valid from May 13, 2025, to May 13, 2028, grants JMBF a meaningful role in global civil society dialogues and decision-making within CIVICUS. As a voting member, the organization will contribute to shaping the strategic direction of the alliance and strengthening democratic participation worldwide.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Joins Torture-Free Trade Network (TFTN)

To read the Bengali and French versions, scroll below.

Paris, France; 09 May 2025 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has officially joined the Torture-Free Trade Network (TFTN), strengthening the global coalition dedicated to preventing torture and promoting human rights on April 25, 2025.

The Torture-Free Trade Network was founded in January 2023 by more than 30 civil society groups who came together in Shoreditch, London, to issue the Shoreditch Declaration for a Torture-Free Trade Treaty. This declaration calls for a binding treaty to prohibit the manufacture and trade of inherently abusive law enforcement equipment such as spiked batons and body-worn electric shock devices. It also advocates for human rights-based controls on more commonly used law enforcement tools like pepper spray, rubber bullets, batons, and handcuffs.

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

"Please read the French and Bengali versions below"

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.​

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

"Please read the French and Bengali versions below"

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.

JMBF Holds Bilateral Meeting with French MP Pouria Amirshahi to Address Human Rights Concerns in Bangladesh

"Please read the French and Bengali versions below"

Paris, April 25, 2025 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) held a bilateral meeting today at 3:00 PM in Paris with Mr. Pouria Amirshahi, Member of the French National Assembly and President of the France-Bangladesh Friendship Group. The meeting focused on growing concerns regarding human rights violations and democratic backsliding in Bangladesh under the current interim government.

JMBF was represented by its Founder and President, prominent Bangladeshi human rights lawyer Advocate Shahanur Islam, and Chief Adviser Robert Simon, a renowned French human rights activist.

JMBF Holds Key Meetings with Amnesty International France and ARDHIS in Paris

"Please read the French and Bengali versions below"

Paris, April 24, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) held two bilateral meetings in Paris on Wednesday (April 23, 2025) with Amnesty International France and the Association for the Recognition of the Rights of Homosexual and Trans Persons to Immigration and Residence (ARDHIS). The discussions focused on the deteriorating state of LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh and potential avenues for international collaboration.

JMBF Becomes a Formal Member of ILGA World

Paris, France – April 15, 2025 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is proud to announce its official acceptance as a member of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association (ILGA World)— a leading global federation committed to advancing the rights, dignity, and well-being of LGBTI+ communities worldwide.

JMBF & SIL Jointly Participate in LGBTQI+ Associations Fair in Paris

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), in collaboration with Solidarity International LGBTQI+ (SIL), participated in the "Salon des Associations LGBTQI+" held at Espace des Blancs Manteaux in Paris on April 5–6, 2025. Organized by Inter-LGBTQI+, the annual event gathered around 80 LGBTQI+ organizations from across France and beyond to celebrate diversity, share experiences, and strengthen international solidarity.