Human Rights Advocates Meet with French Ambassador to the Council of Europe

On March 13, 2023, Shahanur Islam, a prominent human rights defender, met with Ms. Marie Fontanel, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the Council of Europe, at her residence in Strasbourg, France. 

Islam was among 13 laureates of the Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders 2023, who were invited to attend an exchange of views meeting regarding the current human rights situation in their respective countries. 

Bangladesh Needs to Make Further Progress Towards Gender Equality

Advocate Shahanur Islam

On 8th March “International Women's Day” is a global day of celebration and advocacy. Today, the world, including Bangladesh is celebrating International Women's Day, with this year's theme of "innovation and technology for gender equality".

Women's rights organizations, government bodies, civil society groups, trade unions, and NGOs all over the world are holding events to celebrate the day. International Women's Day is an annual occasion that recognizes women's achievements in the social, economic, cultural, and political spheres.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh calls for justice and protection for religious minorities in Bangladesh

Human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh has condemned the recent attack on the Ahmadiyya community in Panchagarh district, northern Bangladesh, which left at least two dead and 100 injured on March 03, 2023. 

In a statement signed by the founder secretary-general of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, prominent human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam, the group called for justice and accountability for the victims, as well as an end to the persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh expresses concern over killing of transgender women in Gazipur

JusticeMakers Bangladesh, a renowned human rights organisation, has expressed grave concern over the recent stabbing of a transgender person in Gazipur on 19 February early morning.

In a statement released on 05 March 2023, the rights organisation condemned the brutal killing of Abdul Khalek and called for immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Human Rights Lawyer Shahanur Islam Presents State of Human Rights in Bangladesh at France

Renowned Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, Shahanur Islam, attended a project presentation event at the conference hall of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in France on 03 March 2023.

Moderated by Ms. Delphine Borione, the Ambassador at large for Human Rights Ambassador in France, Shahanur Islam presented the state of human rights in Bangladesh, his journey as a human rights defender, and his project with the Marianne Initiative for human rights defenders in France.

French Human Rights Ambassador Honours Human Rights Defenders at Paris

On 28th February 2023, Delphine Borione, the Human Rights Ambassador of France, hosted a dinner at her residence in Paris, inviting prominent human rights defenders from around the world. The aim of the event was to discuss pressing human rights issues and to honor those who have been working tirelessly to promote and protect human rights in their respective countries.

Amongst the 12 human rights defenders invited to the dinner was Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi lawyer and human rights activist and founder secretary general of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, who has been actively advocating for human rights in his country. Shahanur Islam has been known for his dedication and commitment towards the promotion and protection of human rights, especially in the areas of freedom of expression, gender equality, and the rights of minorities including LGBTQI.