BANGLADESH-INDIA: JMBF Unveils Annual State of Indo-Bangla Border Violence 2023

Paris, France – June 01, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) today released the comprehensive report on the annual state of violence along the Indo-Bangladesh border for the year 2023.  The report documents 55 violent incidents that have resulted in 66 victims, underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions to address this persistent issue from January to December 2023. The incidents have led to fatalities, injuries, and detainments, affecting numerous individuals and communities across the border.

To read the full report in PDF, please visit: Annual State of Indo-Bangla Border Violence 2023

The report reveals a troubling pattern of violence, with the majority of incidents being perpetrated against males, resulting in 64 male victims from 53 incidents, while females were targeted in two incidents, leading to two female victims. Despite the lower number of incidents involving females, the violence they experienced was equally severe. 

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Joins Global Grassroots Justice Network

Paris, France – May 28, 2024 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a leading organization committed to advancing legal empowerment and access to justice for marginalized communities, has officially joined the Grassroots Justice Network (GJN) as of May 2024. The announcement was made during a collaborative convening of legal empowerment leaders in France, signifying a major milestone in global efforts toward people-centered justice.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Condemns the Death of Suraiya Khatun in RAB Custody Allegedly Due to Torture and Demands Justice and Accountability

Paris, France; May 26, 2024: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is deeply concerned and outraged over the tragic death of Suraiya Khatun, a 45-year-old woman in the custody of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) allegedly due to torture on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Bhairab, Kishoreganj.

JMBF calls for exemplary punishment for those responsible, in a fair trial according to the Torture and Death in Custody (Prevention) Act 2013, by forming a judicial committee to investigate the incident and identify the perpetrators free from any interference by RAB or other law enforcement agencies involved in the incident.

BANGLADESH: JMBF and SIL Express Deep Concern Over Recommendation to Remove 'Sharifa's Tale' from Seventh-Grade Textbook

Paris, France: France-based human rights organizations JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and Solidarity International LGBTQI+ (SIL) express deep concern over the recent recommendation by the expert committee formed by the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh to remove "Sharifa's Tale" from the seventh-grade social science textbook.

JMBF and SIL strongly urge the Ministry of Education to reject this recommendation from the biased committee. Instead, they call for the formation of a new committee led by a Justice of the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court. This new committee should include education specialists, social scientists, and members of civil society to thoroughly investigate the content in question.

JMBF Attends International Conference on Combatting LGBTphobia in Paris

Paris, May 18, 2024- On May 17, 2024, the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs hosted a significant conference dedicated to advancing the rights and protections for LGBT+ individuals globally. The International Day Against LGBTphobia conference, held at the Quai d’Orsay, attracted a diverse array of human rights advocates and legal experts who addressed the urgent need for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality.

Among the notable attendees was Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder and President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). Islam, a prominent figure in the fight for LGBT+ rights in Bangladesh, contributed significantly to the discussions at the conference.

PRESS RELEASE: JMBF Releases Groundbreaking Annual State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023

Paris, France - May 17, 2024 - JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) proudly announces the release of the "Annual Report on the State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023," coinciding with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing global struggle for LGBTQI+ rights and underscores the importance of collective action in combating discrimination and prejudice.

This report, following the groundbreaking inaugural edition in 2022, represents a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and advancements in LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh. It acknowledges that the documented incidents may not fully represent the actual number and types of abuses against LGBT individuals in Bangladesh, as many incidents go unreported due to social stigma and unacceptability.

Compiled by JMBF through rigorous monitoring of news media and analysis, the report covers developments in LGBTQI+ rights from January to December 2023. It provides a detailed examination of the legal, social, and cultural landscape impacting LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges.