STATEMENT: JMBF Calls for Immediate Halt to the Arbitrary Mass Arrests and Unconditional Release of Arrested Protesters in Bangladesh

Paris, France; August 01, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned about the recent wave of arbitrary mass arrests and alleged acts of torture against Anti Quota Movement protesters, students, and members of opposition political parties in Bangladesh.

JMBF demands the immediate halt to the arbitrary mass arrests of protesters, students, and opposition party members, and calls for the unconditional release of all individuals detained for exercising their right to protest and political expression.

According to various news outlets in Bangladesh and internationally, JMBF has learned that, as of today, in consequence of the Anti Quota Movement protests since July 17, around 600 cases have been filed against protesters nationwide. Most of these cases were filed by the police, some by leaders of the Bangladesh Student League and Bangladesh Youth League, and a few by family members of victims.

STATEMENT: JMBF Urges UN Investigation into Recent Deadly Violence in Bangladesh

Paris, France; July 26, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and demands justice for the victims of the recent surge of violence across various regions of Bangladesh. 

As of today, the violence has tragically resulted in the deaths of over 203 citizens, including students and children, and has caused widespread injuries and extensive damage to both private and public property. This violence not only disrupts daily life but also undermines the principles of peace, justice, and human rights in Bangladesh.

JMBF calls for a comprehensive investigation into all incidents of killings, injuries, and property damage, under the direct supervision of the United Nations and international human rights experts. We also advocate for exemplary punishment for the alleged perpetrators through prompt and impartial trials, with the establishment of a special tribunal based on the investigation's findings.

Additionally, JMBF emphasizes the need for physical and psychological support for the victims and their families, including adequate financial compensation and assurance of their physical security.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Welcomes the Reserved Quota for Third Gender Individuals in Government Jobs

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) heartily welcomes the landmark verdict passed by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh for the reservation of quotas for third gender individuals in government jobs.

On July 21, 2024, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh mandated the reservation of quotas for third gender individuals in government jobs. The verdict also includes provisions for physically challenged persons, ethnic minorities, and relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 War of Independence.

JMBF Protests Against Violence in Bangladesh with Human Chain Demonstration at Paris, France

Paris, July 20, 2024- JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has condemned the recent violence in Bangladesh, which erupted during clashes between quota reform students and law enforcement agencies from July 10 to 20, 2024.

Today, July 20, 2024, at around 5 PM, Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder and President of JMBF, along with Moynuddin Khan, Treasurer of the organization, joined a human chain and demonstration at Republic Square in Paris. The protest saw participation from the Bangladeshi student community and expatriates residing in France.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Deeply Concerned and Protests Over the Killing of Six Individuals, Including Three Students, During Nationwide Student Protests Against Quota System

Paris, France; July 17, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound grief and deep concern over the tragic killings of at least six people, including three students, and the injury of several hundred others during violent clashes between quota protesters, Chhatra League (BCL) activists, and police on July 16, 2024, in Bangladesh.

France-based human rights organization committed to justice, human rights, and the rule of law, JMBF condemns the excessive use of force by law enforcement agencies and the violent actions perpetrated by the Chhatra League. The right to peaceful assembly and protest is a fundamental democratic principle, and it is distressing to witness the brutal suppression of these rights.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Condemns the Violent Attacks on Peaceful Student Protestors by Chhatra League with Government Support

Paris, France; July 15, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is deeply concerned about and strongly condemns the armed attacks, beatings, and sexual assaults on general students including female students by the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), an organization affiliated with the Bangladesh Awami League. These heinous acts, which occurred with direct government support, took place during the ongoing non-violent and peaceful democratic movement by ordinary students from various colleges and universities. The students are demanding reform of the existing quota system in government jobs. Furthermore, JMBF calls for the reformation of the current quota system to address the fair demands of the students and to re-fix quotas for backward sections of society at all levels of government employment.

প্রেস বিবৃতি: সাধারণ শিক্ষার্থীদের অসহিংস শান্তিপূর্ণ গণতান্ত্রিক আন্দোলনে সরকারের প্রত্যক্ষ মদদে ছাত্রলীগের হামলার ঘটনায় জেএমবিএফ গভীর ভাবে উদবিগ্ন!

প্যারিস, ফ্রান্স; জুলাই ১৫, ২০২৩ঃ সরকারি চাকুরীতে বিদ্যমান কোটা ব্যবস্থা সংস্কারের দাবীতে দেশের বিভিন্ন কলেজ ও বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের সাধারণ শিক্ষার্থীদের ডাকে চলমান অহিংস ও শান্তিপূর্ণ গণতান্ত্রিক আন্দোলনে সরকারের প্রত্যক্ষ মদদে বাংলাদেশ আওয়ামীলীগ এর সহযোগী সংগঠন বাংলাদেশ ছাত্রলীগের নেতাকর্মীদের স্বশস্ত্র হামলা, মারধর ও নারী শিক্ষার্থিদের শ্লীনতাহানীর ঘটনায় জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ) তীব্র প্রতিবাদ ও নিন্দা জানিয়েছে। পাশাপাশি, শিক্ষার্থীদের ন্যায্য দাবী মেনে নিয়ে বর্তমানে বিদ্যমান কোটা ব্যবস্থা সংস্কারপূর্বক সরকারী চাকুরীর সকল স্তরে যৌতিকভাবে কোটা পুনঃনির্ধারণের আহবান জানিয়েছে ফ্রান্স ভিত্তিক মানবাধিকার প্রতিষ্টানটি।

STATEMENT: JMBF Demands Justice for the Brutal Murder of Transgender Woman Mangali alias Poly in Jessore

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deepest sorrow and strongest condemnation of the horrific murder of Mangali alias Poly, a 35-year-old transgender woman in Machna Mahalpara in Jessore, Bangladesh, by her boyfriend on June 28, 2024.

JMBF demands justice for Poly and calls upon the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The swift arrest and confession of Babu Hossain must be followed by a thorough investigation and a fair trial to bring justice to Poly and her family.

According to news published in various Bangladeshi media outlets, JMBF learned that on June 28, 2024, early Friday morning, a transgender woman named Mangali alias Poly (35) was brutally killed by her boyfriend, Babu Hossain, by slitting her throat in the Manirampur police station area of Jessore district. The police recovered her body from Machna Mahalpara of Khanpur Union in the upazila around 8 PM the same day. The deceased, Mangali alias Poly (35), was the daughter of the late Khalek Gazi from Machna Gazipara village in the same district.

STATEMENT: JMBF Urges Reconsideration of Removal Decision of "Sharifa's Tale" from Bangladeshi Textbooks

Paris, France; July 03, 2024: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the recent decision by the Education Ministry of Bangladesh to remove "Sharifa's Tale" from the History and Social Science textbook for seventh-grade students.

JMBF urges the Bangladesh government, particularly the Education Ministry and the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), to reconsider this decision and call for a revision of the narrative to address any identified inconsistencies while preserving the essence of the story.

JMBF Quarterly eNewsletter: April-June 2024

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Welcome to the latest edition of our quarterly eNewsletter, covering the period from April to June 2024. At JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), we are committed to promoting equitable justice and driving positive change within our communities.

In this issue, we are excited to share with you insightful articles and impactful initiatives that showcase the progress we have made in advancing our cause. We are grateful for the unwavering support of our dedicated team members, partners, and supporters, without whom none of this would be possible.

We are honoured to have you on this journey with us, and together, we can make a meaningful difference.​ To read the full eNewsletter in PDF format, please visit here.

Thank you for your continued support.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Urges Immediate Release of Arrested Two Homosexual Youths in Chuadanga

Paris, France; June 28, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned over the recent arrest of two homosexual youths, Enayet Ullah and Sabuj Hossain, on charges of same-sex marriage by the Jibannagar police in Chuadanga on June 22, 2024. The France-based rights organization demands the immediate release of both youths, the dropping of all charges against them, and calls for steps to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.

According to news published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, JMBF has learned that on June 22, 2024, Saturday, at 12:30 pm, Enayet Ullah (25) and Sabuj Hossain (24) were arrested by the Jibannagar police on charges of same-sex marriage from Hariharnagar in the border union of Jibannagar upazila, Chuadanga. Enayet Ullah is the son of Abdul Majid of Harihannagar village, and Sabuj Hossain is the son of Alauddin of Kushadanga village of Swaruppur union in the neighboring Maheshpur upazila under Jhenaidah district.

JMBF Publishes Annual State of Torture and Extra-Judicial Killing in Bangladesh 2023

Paris, France, June 26, 2024 : JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has published the Annual State of Torture and Extra-Judicial Killing in Bangladesh 2023 today, coinciding with the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This meticulously documented report highlights 148 incidents of torture, extrajudicial killings, and inhumane treatment and degrading behavior in Bangladesh by Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) throughout 2023. Based on continuous monitoring of online news media published from Bangladesh and abroad, this report reveals a disturbing trend of human rights violations by LEAs, impacting a total of 1,842 individuals.

You can read and download the full summary report visit by JMBF Annual State of Torture and Extra-Judicial Killing in Bangladesh 2023

JMBF Founder Shahanur Presents Paper on LGBTQI+ Challenges in Bangladesh in Vienna, Austria

Advocate Shahanur Islam, the founder of the Justice Makers Bangladesh Foundation (JMBF), presented a pivotal paper titled "Mapping LGBTQI+ Challenges in Bangladesh: A Media Analysis 2023" at the 6th World Conference on Social Sciences Studies (#3SCONF). The conference, held from June 20-22, 2024, in Vienna, Austria, brought together leading scholars, activists, and practitioners to discuss pressing social science issues.

Islam’s presentation highlighted the systematic monitoring and analysis of media portrayals and coverage of LGBTQI+ issues in Bangladesh throughout 2023. The paper underscored the significant challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community in a socio-political landscape marked by conservative attitudes and legal constraints.

JMBF Founder Shahanur Islam Speaks at Geneva Event on Gender, Justice, and Refugee Law

Advocate Shahanur Islam, the founder and president of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), delivered a compelling speech today at the 2024 NGO Consultations Side Event titled "Gender, Justice, and the Law: Legal and Practical Challenges for Refugees," held at the Geneva International Conference Centre on 10 June 2024. The event focused on the critical issue of access to legal services for women, girls, and LGBTQI+ refugees.

This side event was organized by PILnet, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), St. Andrews Refugee Service (StARS), and members of the legal community. It aimed to share knowledge and best practices on addressing the legal and practical challenges faced by refugees, particularly in the context of gender justice.

INDIA-BANGLADESH: JMBF Condemns Killing of Bangladeshi Citizen by Indian Border Security Force at Kumilla

Paris, France: June 11, 2024 - Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses profound concern and vehemently protests the killing of Bangladeshi citizen Anowar Hossain at the Jamtla Indian border area of Burichong upazila in Comilla on Sunday, June 9, 2024, by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF).

JMBF strongly condemns this egregious act of violence against an unarmed civilian along the India-Bangladesh border, which represents a blatant violation of human rights. JMBF demands immediate attention and action from the both India and Bangladesh government to provide exemplary punishment to the perpetrators involved in such gross human rights violations.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over the Vandalism of Lalon Akhra in Kushtia!

Paris, France:The France-based human rights organization, Justicemakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), has expressed deep outrage and concern over the incident of the destruction of the Akhra of Baul Nishan Ali in Mirpur, Kushtia, on the night of June 7, 2024. The human rights organization has called for the immediate identification and exemplary punishment of the perpetrators.