Founder President of JMBF, Shahanur Islam, Presents Paper on LGBTQI+ Rights at International Conference in Berlin

Shahanur Islam, the esteemed Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), showcased his groundbreaking research on the plight of LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh at the prestigious International Conference on LGBT Studies. The event, held in Berlin, Germany from December 7th to 9th, 2023, provided a platform for scholars, activists, and advocates to address crucial issues facing the LGBTQI+ community worldwide.

Islam's paper shed light on the pervasive violence experienced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh, delving into the socio-cultural factors contributing to their marginalization and discrimination. His research not only highlighted the challenges faced by this community but also proposed actionable strategies for promoting inclusivity and fostering acceptance within Bangladeshi society.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh Founder President Advocates for LGBTI Rights at HELP International Conference

In a groundbreaking event organized by the Council of Europe's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGI) unit, the Help international course launch and conference on LGBTI persons in the asylum procedure took place on December 4, 2023, at the Council of Europe premises in Strasbourg, France. Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh (JMBF), was in attendance, emphasizing the organization's commitment to promoting justice and human rights for all.

The conference featured esteemed speakers such as Thorsten Afflerbach, Head of Division, Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Programmes at the Council of Europe, Jeroen Schokkenbroek, Director of the Directorate of Anti-Discrimination, and Leyla Kayacik, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe for Migration and Refugees. Other notable participants included Andreas Wissner, UNHCR Representative to the European Institutions in Strasbourg, and Eva Pastrana, Head of the HELP Programme at the Council of Europe.

Statement: JMBF expresses deep concern about the restriction of a transgender woman from participating in the Women's Career Carnival as a speaker at North South University.

Paris, France; November 26, 2023: The France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), has expressed profound concern and protest over the cancellation of the scheduled session featuring Bangladeshi transgender woman Ho Chi Minh Islam as a speaker at the Women's Career Carnival. The cancellation was reportedly influenced by pressure from conservative student groups at North South University. JMBF believes that the discriminatory treatment of Ho Chi Minh Islam, solely because she is a transgender woman, is a blatant violation of Bangladesh's Supreme Law Constitution and the universal human rights declared by the United Nations.

Based on various reliable sources, JMBF has learned that on November 24-25, 2023, two organizations, Heroes for All and ISOSHAL, organized the Women's Career Carnival at the North South University campus. The event aimed to empower women through networking, learning, and professional development. Transgender woman and rights activist Ho Chi Minh Islam was scheduled to participate as a speaker in a session on the afternoon of November 24. Her speech was intended to address the inclusion of marginalized communities in the workforce and the creation of an inclusive environment for their work.

Statement: JMBF Urges Justice for the Killing of Homosexual Butcher Khairul Islam in Dhaka

Paris, France; November 20, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses grave concern over the recent tragic and heinous murder of Khairul Islam, a gay butcher at Dakkhinkhan in Dhaka on the night of November 12, 2023.

The rights organization urges the government to give exemplary punishment to the alleged culprit through a prompt and fair trial. Additionally, they call for immediate measures to protect members of the LGBT community, preventing similar incidents in the future.

According to reports from various Bangladeshi news media, police recovered Butcher Khairul's bloodied body wrapped in a blanket from his shop in Dakshinkhan police station in Dhaka on the night of September 12, 2023. One wound was found on his nose, and three sharp weapon wounds were discovered on his neck. Initially, investigators had no leads, but later, individuals were arrested on suspicion. During intensive interrogation, Shahidul Islam, a butcher from a nearby shop, admitted that he worked at Judge Mia's meat shop in Adam Ali Market. Every day, after selling meat, he went home to Bereid. However, on the day of the incident, Khairul asked him to sleep in his shop, "Afsal Gost Bitan." Shahidul agreed, and around 11 o'clock, Khairul allegedly attempted a homosexual advance. Shahidul, angered by this, hit Khairul's face with a meat cutter chapati from Khairul's butcher's box, causing him to fall. Shahidul then struck Khairul's right-side neck more than three times to ensure his death. After confirming the victim's death, he wiped the body with a blanket, placed it in a box, covered Khairul with another blanket, and fled the scene.

JMBF Founder Shahanur Islam Addresses at Seminar on Asylum Process in France

Paris,France; November 19, 2023: In a compelling seminar organized by Solidarities Asie France (SAF) in Paris on November 18, 2023, Bangladeshi Human Rights Lawyer and Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, Advocate Shahanur Islam, took center stage to shed light on reasons compelling Bangladeshi citizens to leave their homeland for Europe, particularly France, and seek asylum. The event drew the participation of around 40 Bangladeshi asylum seekers at various stages of their application.

The seminar, aimed at providing valuable insights into the asylum procedures at different stages, featured notable speakers, including France Lawyer Mr. Akash Helal, Paris Youth Councillor Nayan NK, and Researcher Gaktane Lamarche Vadel.

JMBF Calls for an End to Border Shootings by BSF on the Indo-Bangla Border

Paris, France; November 14, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern regarding the tragic death of Samirul Haque, a 16-year-old Bangladeshi, due to gunfire by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Godagari border in the Rajshahi district on November 09, 2023.

The human rights organization based in France, JMBF, strongly condemns the killing of Samirul Haque and calls for a halt to all border killings by the BSF, in compliance with international laws and principles.

As reported by various Bangladeshi newspapers, on November 9th at noon, Samirul Haque, son of Hasibul Islam from Barinagar village, was fatally shot by the BSF at the Godagari border in Rajshahi. The incident occurred at the Diyar Manikchak border of Charashariadah union in the Godagari upazila of Rajshahi district.