Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Brutal Police Repression Against Peaceful Teachers’ Protest in Dhaka

February 17, 2025 | Paris, France – France based human rights organisation, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the brutal police crackdown on the peaceful protest in Dhaka by recommended government primary teachers on February 16, 2025, under the Interim Government led by former Nobel Laureate for Peace, Prof. Mohammad Yunus. The use of excessive force, including baton charges, tear gas, and water cannons, against recommended teachers of government primary schools, who were merely demanding their fundamental right to employment, is an outrageous violation of human rights and democratic principles.

JMBF asserts that state-sponsored violence against unarmed civilians, including women, is a direct attack on freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and the rule of law. JMBF condemns these actions in the strongest possible terms and demands an immediate end to the repression, accountability for those responsible, and the unconditional reinstatement of all affected teachers.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Police Torture of Peaceful Demonstrators in Dhaka – A Call for Justice and Accountability

Paris, France | February 12, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the brutal and unjustified use of force by law enforcement authorities against peaceful demonstrators in Dhaka on February 9 and 10, 2025. The violent torture inflicted through baton charges on students of the Medical Assistant Training School (MATS) and registered teachers, including a journalist, are clear violations of fundamental human rights and democratic freedoms, as enshrined in both national and international law.

JMBF demands an independent, impartial judicial investigation into the police brutality against peaceful demonstrators. All officers responsible for the excessive use of force must be held accountable under domestic and international legal frameworks.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Discriminatory Actions Against Homosexual Assistant Professor by Islamic University, Kushtia

Paris, France; January 29, 2025: The France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh Foundation (JMBF), expresses its deep concern and condemnation over the decision by Islamic University (IU) in Kushtia to place Assistant Professor Hafizul Islam on mandatory leave for one year and cancel his annual increment, following allegations of homosexuality on January 26, 2025. These punitive measures represent a gross violation of human rights, freedom of expression, and dignity.

JMBF asserts that this action, stemming from allegations alone and without transparent due process, not only tarnishes the reputation of a faculty member but also sets a dangerous precedent for perpetuating discrimination and stigmatization of individuals based on their sexual orientation. Such practices go against Bangladesh’s constitutional commitment to equality and justice for all citizens and stand in direct conflict with global human rights standards.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Denounces Police Brutality on Peaceful Assembly by Ibtedayi Teachers in Dhaka

Paris, France; January 26, 2025: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses its deepest concern and strongest condemnation of the violent police assault on peaceful Ibtedayi teacher protesters at Shahbagh, Dhaka, today, January 26, 2025. The brutal use of batons, sound grenades, water cannons, and tear gas against Ibtedayi teachers—six of whom, including one woman, were injured—constitutes a blatant violation of human rights, Bangladesh’s Constitution, and international human rights standards.

JMBF asserts that the Ibtedayi teachers, under the Ibtedayi Madrasa Teachers' Unity Alliance, were peacefully marching to demand the nationalization of their jobs and the implementation of a six-point demand, a legitimate cause recognized by recommendations from the Dhaka University Institute of Education and Research. This peaceful demonstration was met with unprovoked violence by the authorities, which is unacceptable in a democratic society.

Are LGBT Teachers Paying the Price for Political Turmoil in Bangladesh?

Advocate Shahanur Islam

In recent months, Bangladesh has witnessed a disturbing rise in violence and discrimination against LGBT educators, coinciding with the formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. While the political transition aimed to usher in stability after the contentious tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, this shift has exposed deep societal fissures and exacerbated existing vulnerabilities faced by marginalized communities.

The backdrop of this violence lies in the chaotic political environment that culminated in Hasina’s resignation. Her tenure, marked by increasingly authoritarian measures, had sparked widespread protests and a corresponding harsh crackdown on dissent. Following her exit and the establishment of Yunus’s interim leadership, the focus of governance shifted toward stabilizing the political landscape rather than addressing pressing human rights concerns.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Suspension of High School Teacher on Grounds of Sexual Orientation

Paris, France; November 02, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns and protests the recent suspension of Haroon Or Rashid Milan, principal of Kurigram Collectorate School and College, on August 25, 2024, in Kurugram. This decision represents a troubling trend toward targeting individuals based on unproven accusations related to their sexual orientation rather than any substantiated evidence of misconduct.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Refraining of Professor from All Academic Activities at Islamic University, Kushtia, Due to Sexual Orientation

Paris, France; October 26, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) vehemently condemns the recent decision to refrain Assistant Professor Hafizul Islam of the Development Studies Department at Islamic University, Kushtia, from all departmental activities, including teaching, due to allegations of homosexuality made on October 23, 2024.

The actions of the university authorities, including barring him from all departmental activities, represent a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and academic freedom. Such actions perpetuate discrimination, intolerance, and fear, contradicting the principles of human dignity and equality.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Police Brutality Against Peaceful Protest by Teachers in Dhaka

Paris, France; October 18, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the recent brutal police crackdown on the peaceful demonstration by teachers from various private colleges across the country in Dhaka on October 17, 2024. It is deeply concerning that 33 teachers, including 11 women assaulted while exercising their democratic right to protest peacefully.

The use of batons, sound grenades, and water cannons by the police against unarmed educators, who were merely exercising their fundamental right to peaceful assembly, is a grave violation of both Bangladeshi and international laws protecting human rights.