Human Rights Lawyer Addresses LGBTQI+ Violence in Bangladesh at International Conference in Paris

In a stirring address at the International Conference on Persecution of LGBT+ people held at Gaîté Lyrique, Paris, Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi Human Rights lawyer and Founder President of JusticeMaker Bangladesh in France (JMBF), shed light on the harrowing reality faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh. 

The conference, jointly organized by esteemed organizations including the Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality (ADUH), ILGA World, Egides, Stop Homophobia, and LGBT International Solidarity on 6th February 2024, provided a platform for advocates and activists to discuss and address the global panorama of violence against the LGBTQI+ community.

Shahanur Islam's presentation delved into the findings of a media monitoring report on violence against LGBTQI+ people in Bangladesh throughout 2022, painting a stark picture of the challenges faced by this marginalized community. According to the report, a total of 204 LGBTQI+ individuals were subjected to significant violence across 51 incidents, ranging from killings and physical assaults to psychological abuse, attempted suicides, and various forms of harassment and extortion.

Statement: JMBF Calls for Justice for the Death of Faruk Hossain Hossain Due to Alleged Torture in Police Custody at Dhaka!

Paris, France; February 02, 2023: France base human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned and outraged over the tragic death of Faruk Hossain Hossain, a bodybuilder and former Mister Bangladesh, as well as the personal bodyguard of the former chairman of City Bank Limited, Mohammad Shoaib, due to alleged torture by the police at Bangshal Police Station under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) following arrest for possession of cannabis.

JMBF urges the formation of a judicial inquiry committee, headed by a justice of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, to investigate this incident, ensuring the highest levels of integrity and transparency in the proceedings. JMBF also calls for exemplary punishment for the alleged culprits through a fair and transparent trial under the Prohibition of Torture and Death in Custody Law 2013.

STATEMENT: JMBF Expresses Grave Concerns Over the Misinformation Campaign Against the Positive Inclusion of Third-Gender Portrayal in Textbooks.

Paris, France; January 24, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) vehemently condemns the recent actions and statements made by Mr. Asif Mahatab Utsho, a former teacher at BRAC University. The incident, which involves false propaganda against the positive portrayal of third gender issues and spreading misinformation about homosexuality in Bangladesh and Europe, along with the subsequent tearing up of Class Seven textbook pages, is highly concerning and goes against the principles of responsible academic discourse.

লিঙ্গভিত্তিক সহিংসতার শিকার নারী কি শরণার্থী মর্যাদা পেতে পারে?

অ্যাডভোকেট শাহানূর ইসলাম

জেনেভা কনভেনশান অনুযায়ী কোন ব্যক্তি যদি তার জাতি,ধর্ম, নাগরিকতা, বিশেষ সম্প্রদায়, অথবা রাজনৈতিক বিশ্বাসের কারণে নিপীড়নের এমন আশঙ্কা করেন যা সুনির্দিষ্ট সাক্ষ্য –প্রমানের ভিত্তিতে প্রতিষ্ঠিত ; সেই নিপীড়নের আশংকার কারণে যদি সে যে দেশের নাগরিক তার বাইরে অবস্থান করে, এবং নিজ দেশে নিরপত্তা না পাওয়ায় আশংকা করে, অথবা উক্ত নিপীড়নের আশঙ্কার দরুন নিজ দেশের নিরপত্তা ব্যবস্থার উপর আস্থাহীন হয় এবং পূর্বে যে দেশে স্থায়ীভাবে বসবাস করছিল সেই দেশে ফিরতে পারছে না, অথবা উক্ত নিপীড়নের আশংকার দরুন সেই দেশে ফিরে যেতে অনিচ্ছুক হয় তবে উক্ত ব্যক্তিকে শরনার্থীর মর্যাদা প্রদান করা হয়|

এখন প্রশ্ন হল লিঙ্গভিত্তিক সহিংসতার শিকার নারীরা কি জেনেভা কনভেনশান অনুযায়ী শরণার্থী মর্যাদা পেতে পারে?

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Receives Membership in the Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality.

In a historic development, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a human rights organization based in France aiming to ensure the rights of LGBT people in Bangladesh, has been honored with membership in the prestigious Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality (ADUH) on 16th January 2024. This recognition marks a significant stride in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and the decriminalization of homosexuality.

The Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality is renowned for its unwavering commitment to advocating for the decriminalization of homosexuality, as well as establishing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and fostering inclusivity on an international scale. The inclusion of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) underscores the growing importance of collaboration between organizations across borders to achieve common goals in the realm of human rights.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has long been at the forefront of championing the rights of marginalized communities, particularly the LGBTQ+ population. This acknowledgment by the Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality highlights the organization's dedicated efforts in promoting equality and justice.

JMBF Receives 1000 Euro Solidarity Donation from Solidarity International LGBT

Paris, France; 2nd January 2024: In a gesture of global solidarity, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) received a significant donation of 1000.00 (one thousand) Euros from Solidarity International LGBT (SIL), a France-based non-profit association. This generous contribution is earmarked for the procurement of computer equipment, pivotal for monitoring, documenting, and reporting human rights violations against the sexual minority in Bangladesh.

The funds will also fuel JMBF's efforts in conducting lobbying, campaigns, and advocacy work aimed at bringing perpetrators of violations to justice and advancing the cause of decriminalizing homosexuality in Bangladesh.

Expressing profound gratitude, Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF and a prominent human rights lawyer, extended heartfelt thanks to Mr. Robert Simon, President of SIL, and the entire SIL team on behalf of the JMBF family. He emphasized the critical role this donation plays in fortifying their commitment to safeguarding the rights of sexual minorities in Bangladesh.