Press & Public Statement: JMBF Gravely Concerned Over the Politically Motivated Brutal Killing of Lawyer Sujon Mia in Moulvibazar

Paris, France; April 8, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses its deepest outrage and unequivocal condemnation of the brutal and cowardly murder of Advocate Sujon Mia, a practicing lawyer at the Moulvibazar District Judge Court. He was fatally stabbed on the night of April 6, 2025, in what appears to be a politically motivated targeted killing.

This heinous act, committed in public under the watch of the current interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, reflects a grave deterioration of law and order and exposes the abysmal state of protection for legal professionals in Bangladesh today.

Press and Public Statement: JMBF Deeply Concerned over the Arbitrary Detention of 84 Pro-Awami League Lawyers Despite Bail from Higher Court

Paris, France; April 07, 2025: France-based human rights watchdog, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses its strongest concern and condemnation over the arbitrary and unprecedented decision by the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge to reject bail pleas and send 84 pro-Awami League lawyers to jail on April 6, 2025, solely for their political belief—despite their valid anticipatory bail granted by the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court.

JMBF asserts that this politically motivated and arbitrary action—under the watch of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus—constitutes a flagrant violation of the Constitution of Bangladesh, as well as fundamental international human rights obligations to which Bangladesh is legally bound.

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.

JMBF Founder President Holds Bilateral Meeting with French Embassy in Dhaka

Paris, France; April 02, 2025: Advocate Shahanur Islam, a prominent Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and the founder president of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), held a virtual bilateral meeting with Madame Emilie Palahouane, Political Affairs and Cooperation Attachée of the Embassy of France in Dhaka on Thursday morning.

During the one-and-a-half-hour discussion, Mr. Islam provided an overview of the human rights situation in Bangladesh under the current interim government, led by former Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. 

JMBF Quarterly eNewsletter: January- March 2025

As we step into the first quarter (January to March) of 2025, the JMBF Quarterly eNewsletter continues to be a platform for reflection, inspiration, and progress. The start of a new year is always an opportunity to set fresh goals, embrace new challenges, and reaffirm our commitment to making a difference. 

Over the past few months, JMBF has been actively engaging with communities, driving meaningful projects, and fostering collaborations that pave the way for lasting impact. From empowering local entrepreneurs to funding educational initiatives, we have seen firsthand the transformative power of collective action. In this issue, we highlight some of these incredible efforts and the individuals behind them. 

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Cancellation of Pro-Awami League Lawyers Candidature in the Dinajpur District Advocate Bar Association Election

Paris, France; March 31, 2025: France-based human rights watchdog, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns the politically motivated canceliation of the Pro-Awami League Lawyers Panel in the Dinajpur District Advocate Bar Association Election solely for their political belief on March 29, 2025. This incident represents a blatant violation of democratic principles and the fundamental rights of legal professionals to participate in a free and fair electoral process, as well as a violation of human rights.

JMBF immediately urges the government of Bangladesh to reschedule the election, restore the candidature of Pro-Awami League lawyers, and ensure a free and fair election environment for the Dinajpur District Advocate Bar Association Election 1432 Bangabdha.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Politically Motivated Murder Case Against Eight Prominent Journalists in Dhaka

Paris, France; March 29, 2025 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights watchdog, expresses grave concern and strong protest over the politically motivated and baseless case filed against eight distinguished journalists in Dhaka, accusing them of involvement in the tragic deaths and injuries during the July uprising on July 19, 2024. JMBF unequivocally condemns the filing of this case, which is a clear attempt to silence independent media voices and suppress the fundamental right to freedom of expression.

JMBF Engages in Bilateral Meeting with the Embassy of France in Bangladesh

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) attended a significant bilateral meeting with the Embassy of France in Bangladesh held at the French Embassy premises in Dhaka today on March 27, 2025. The meeting was attended by the Secretary-General of JMBF and Emilie PALAHOUANE, Political Affairs and Cooperation Attachée of the Embassy of France.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Gravely Concerned Over Police Brutality on Garment Workers' Peaceful Protest in Dhaka

Paris, France; March 26, 2025: France-based human rights watchdog JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns and protests police brutality against garment workers during their peaceful protest in Dhaka on March 25, 2025. The police’s deployment of sound grenades, tear gas, and baton charges against unarmed workers demanding their rightful dues before Eid ul-Fitr, resulting in approximately 40 workers being injured, is a flagrant violation of human rights and an unacceptable abuse of power.

JMBF urges an immediate investigation into the police's excessive use of force, accountability for those responsible, and the fulfillment of workers' demands for unpaid wages, Eid bonuses, and maternity leave. Furthermore, the government must protect workers' right to protest and ensure that victims of police brutality receive proper treatment and compensation.

Ban on Bail in Rape Cases: Justice or a Risky Precedent?

Advocate Shahanur Islam

In response to the recent alarming rise in rape cases, the interim government of Bangladesh has introduced a sweeping legal reform—banning bail in all rape cases and mandating trials to conclude within 90 days. Additionally, investigation reports must be submitted within 15 days. While this bold move aims to strengthen justice, it also raises critical concerns about fairness, human rights, and the effectiveness of the judicial system.

A Necessary Step to Deter Crime

Rape is a heinous crime, and a weak judicial process allows offenders to act with impunity. A stringent legal framework ensures justice for survivors and instills fear among perpetrators. Eliminating bail could serve as a strong deterrent, preventing criminals from manipulating legal loopholes to evade punishment.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF is Deeply Concerned Over the Politically Motivated, Fabricated Cases Against 291 Prominent Lawyers in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Comilla

Paris, France; March 21, 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization committed to advancing human rights and upholding the rule of law, strongly condemns the politically motivated and fabricated charges filed against 291 prominent lawyers across multiple incidents in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Comilla. These highly respected legal professionals, known for their legal expertise and advocacy for justice, have been targeted by malicious and politically driven cases aimed at suppressing their voices and discrediting their professionalism.

JMBF asserts that the charges filed against these individuals include severe accusations such as murder, attempted murder, assault, bomb explosions, detonating explosives, vandalizing vehicles, and involvement in violent attacks on peaceful student protesters. These accusations are completely baseless and part of a coordinated attempt to undermine the integrity of the legal profession in Bangladesh. JMBF urges the government of Bangladesh to immediately drop the charge against those lawyers.

Is Violence Against Minorities Justified for Political Reasons?

Advocate Shahanur Islam 

On March 17, in an interview broadcast on Indian TV channel NDTV, the head of U.S. National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, expressed deep concern about the overall situation in Bangladesh, particularly regarding the persecution of minorities. She explicitly mentioned that the Trump administration was extremely worried about the human rights situation of minorities in Bangladesh. 

However, soon after her statement, the office of the Chief Adviser of the interim government issued a press release denying these concerns. The statement claimed that religious minorities in Bangladesh were not facing any persecution and that a harmonious environment prevailed in the country. However, the reality paints a completely different picture. 

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Continuous Attacks on Minorities in Bangladesh and Demands Immediate International Intervention

(বাংলায় বিবৃতিটি পড়তে, অনুগ্রহপূর্বক ইংরেজি ভার্ষণের শেষে দেখুন)

Paris, France | March 18, 2025: France-based human rights watchdog JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the ongoing violence and systematic persecution of religious minorities and indigenous communities in Bangladesh during the tenure of the current interim government led by former Nobel Laureate for Peace, Professor Muhammad Yunus. The recent surge in murders, rapes, religious persecution, and the destruction of homes and businesses exposes a severe human rights crisis and clear violations of fundamental rights, demanding urgent action from the international community.

Escalating Religious Violence Under Yunus's Rule: Attacks on Shrines and the Government’s Mysterious Silence

Advocate Shahanur Islam

On the night of March 16, 2025, a brutal attack took place at the Ismail Shah shrine in Amtali, Barguna, during the annual Urs celebration, leaving at least 20 people injured. Eyewitnesses report that local leaders of the Islamic Movement of Bangladesh led a group of over a hundred individuals who demanded the cessation of shrine worship and musical performances. When their demands were refused, violence erupted. The attackers set fire to the shrine’s tents and meeting halls, looted donation boxes, and viciously assaulted Sufi followers. This is not an isolated incident but part of an ongoing pattern of religious violence across the country.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Abduction and Rape of Two Sexual Minority Individuals in Rangpur and Narayanganj

Paris, France | March 16, 2025: The France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the recent brutal acts of abduction and rape committed against two sexual minority individuals in Rangpur and Narayanganj, Bangladesh, on March 3 and March 8, 2025, respectively. The abduction, rape, and blackmail of a young man in Rangpur, along with the rape of another in Narayanganj, are appalling violations of human rights and stark reminders of the systemic discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh.

JMBF asserts that these horrific acts highlight the urgent need for stronger legal protections, immediate judicial action, and societal change to ensure justice and safety for sexual minorities in Bangladesh. The perpetrators of such heinous crimes must be held fully accountable, and law enforcement agencies must take swift and uncompromising action to prevent further victimization.

Press & Public Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Recent Police Brutality Against Anti-Rape Protesters in Dhaka

Paris, France | 14 March 2025: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, vehemently condemns the brutal police attack on peaceful student protesters demonstrating against violence against women in Dhaka on March 11, 2025. The violent suppression of their democratic right to protest and the subsequent criminalization of student protesters through fabricated charges under the Bangladesh Penal Code constitutes a blatant violation of fundamental human rights, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression.

JMBF asserts that, at a time when students are demanding justice and accountability, the Bangladeshi authorities have resorted to violent repression, further exposing the state's systemic failure to address violence against women. The police's disproportionate use of force against protesters and the arbitrary filing of criminal charges against student leaders are deeply concerning and an outright attack on democratic principles.