JMBF Publishes Comprehensive Annual Report on Violence Against Lawyers in Bangladesh for 2022

Paris, France, August 10, 2023:  A shocking and distressing trend of violence against lawyers in Bangladesh has been unveiled by the recently published comprehensive annual report by JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). The report, covering the period from January to December 2022, paints a grim picture of the challenges faced by legal professionals in the country and calls for urgent action to address the alarming situation.

The report, published in Paris, France on August 10, 2023, is a groundbreaking endeavor that sheds light on the disconcerting incidents of violence targeting lawyers in Bangladesh. It is a meticulous documentation of incidents that includes physical attacks, assault, beatings, murder, rape, kidnappings, fabrication of cases, arrests, threats, intimidation, attempted murder, and judicial harassment.

STATEMENT: JMBF expressed deep concern over the destruction of idols of four Hindu temples in Shariyatpur!

Paris, France: 23th July 2023: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), has expressed deep concern and condemnation regarding the attack and vandalism of idols at four temples in Chaikhgaon, Mahisar, and Rambhadrapur villages of Vedarganj Upazila in Shariatpur.

PRESS STATEMENT:JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Condemns the Tragic Demise of Bangladeshi Lawyer Lutful Kabir

[Paris, France: 21st July 2023] JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the untimely and tragic demise of lawyer Mr. Lutful Kabir Nowroz, whose lifeless body was found in a pond in Khulna's Batiaghata upazila on Sunday evening, 16th July 2023.

Lutful Kabir Nowroz, 58, served as the Public Prosecutor (PP) of the Anti-Corruption Special Tribunal in Khulna, southern Bangladesh, dedicating his life to upholding justice and fighting against corruption. His sudden disappearance and subsequent discovery in the pond have shocked the entire legal community and brought immense sorrow to all those who knew and worked with him.

UN Special Rapporteur Expresses Concern over the situation of Bangladeshi Human Rights Lawyer Shahanur Islam

United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders took to social media to voice his concerns about the distressing situation faced by human rights lawyer and defender Shahanur Islam in Bangladesh. On 13th July 2023, the Special Rapporteur's status, posted on both Facebook and Twitter, highlighted the online harassment faced by Islam as a form of retaliation for his dedicated work in advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in the country. Moreover, it was revealed that the local police had made attempts to gather information about Islam and his family.

European Lawyers Demand Protection for Bangladeshi Lawyer Shahanur Islam from Continuous Threats and Harassment

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), representing the bars and law societies of 46 countries and over 1 million European lawyers, has taken a firm stance against the continuous threats and harassment faced by lawyer Shahanur Islam and his family in Bangladesh. On July 7, 2023, the CCBE sent a letter to the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, addressing the grave concerns surrounding the safety of Shahanur Islam.

PRESS STATEMENT: Justicemakers Bangladesh Condemns Torture of Apprentice Lawyer Runa Laila in Dhaka's Kashimpur Jail

Justicemakers Bangladesh, a human rights organization, expresses deep concern and anger over the physical and mental torture endured by apprentice lawyer Runa Laila in Dhaka's Kashimpur prison. The torture was carried out by an expelled leader of the Jubo Mahila League, an organ of the ruling government party, with the active participation and support of the prison staff on June 19.