Police Violence Against Student Protesters: A Crucial Test of Democracy, the Rule of Law, and State Accountability

For the Bengali and French versions of this Op-Ed, please scroll down.

By Advocate Shahanur Islam

The rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and peaceful protest are not merely hallmarks of political liberty; they are indispensable foundations of any democratic society governed by the rule of law. Throughout history, students have stood at the forefront of social and political transformation, often serving as catalysts for democratic change and public accountability. Whether one agrees with the objectives of a student movement is ultimately a matter of political opinion. What is beyond dispute, however, is that when a protest remains peaceful, the state bears a constitutional and international legal obligation to protect—not suppress—the exercise of those rights.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMFB Expresses Deep Concern and Strongly Condemns Police Baton Charge on Peaceful College Student Protesters in Dhaka

For the Bengali and French versions of this alert, please scroll down.

Paris, France | 16 July 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMFB) expresses its deep concern and strongly condemns the police baton charge and use of force against HSC candidates and college students who were peacefully demonstrating in front of the National Parliament on 14 July 2026, demanding the resignation of the Minister of Education.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Grave Concern over Custodial Deaths in Dhaka Central Jail and Kishoreganj Police Custody

Paris, France | 12 July 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based international human rights organization, expresses its profound concern and unequivocally condemns the recent custodial deaths of Mr. Moniruzzaman Monir Matubbar, a Jubo League leader and businessman, at Dhaka Central Jail, and Mr. Rubel Mia, who died while in police custody at Nikli Police Station in Kishoreganj District.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Strongly Condemns the Alleged Torture of a Young Man in Police Custody in Barishal

Paris, France | 10 July 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern, strongest condemnation, and unequivocal protest over the alleged custodial torture of Riaz Fakir at Agailjhara Police Station in Barishal, as well as the subsequent police baton charge on his family members when they went to the police station seeking justice.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Grave Concern over the Death of Student League Activist Allegedly Due to Torture in DB Custody

Paris, France | 23 June 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound concern and strongly condemns the death of Mirza Ishtiaq Ahmed (Pranto), 27, a Bangladesh Chhatra League activist, allegedly following torture while in the custody of the Detective Branch (DB) of the Bangladesh Police in Madhukhali Upazila, Faridpur on 21 June 2026.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Alleged Police Torture of Cricketer Nayeem Hasan and Calls for an Independent Investigation and Accountability

Paris, France | 14 June 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strongly condemns the alleged physical torture, degrading treatment, unlawful detention, and subsequent harassment of Bangladesh national cricket team player Nayeem Hasan by police officers in Chattogram on the night of 12 June 2026.