STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Ban on Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL)

Paris, France; October 23, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strongly condemns the recent ban on Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) by the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel Laureate for Peace, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, announced on October 23, 2024, under the Anti-Terrorism Act-2009. This decision, taken in response to demands from the student movement against discrimination, raises serious questions about the government’s motivations and the broader implications for civil liberties and democratic practices in Bangladesh.

The decision to ban the BCL, a 76-year-old pro-Awami League student organization, came in response to demands from a student movement against discrimination, following an ultimatum by the students to intensify their demonstrations if the BCL was not banned within the week. JMBF questions the legitimacy of a decision made under pressure from the protests and whether it genuinely serves the interests of justice or reflects an attempt to appease certain factions in a politically charged environment.

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns Arbitrary Arrest and Inhumane Treatment of Barrister Syedul Haque Sumon, Calls for Immediate Release and Investigation

Paris, France; October 22, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and degrading treatment of Barrister Syed Syedul Haque Sumon, a former Member of Parliament, renowned social worker, anti-corruption activist, and lawyer, who was detained by police in the early hours of October 22, 2024, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. His arrest, on questionable charges related to the anti-discrimination student movement, along with his inhumane treatment while in custody, represents a grave violation of national and international human rights standards.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Attempted Murder Case Filed Against Prominent Lawyer and Human Rights Defender ZI Khan Panna in Dhaka

Paris, France; October 21, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the baseless and politically motivated filing of an attempted murder case against the distinguished Supreme Court lawyer, human rights defender, and chairman of the renowned human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), ZI Khan Panna, on October 17, 2024.

The case, brought by Md Baker at Khilgaon police station, accuses 180 individuals, including Mr. Panna, of involvement in the July 19, 2024, incident in Meradia Bazar during the anti-quota movement protests. This charge is clearly an attempt to stifle his advocacy for justice and human rights in Bangladesh, as well as retaliation for his criticism of the current government led by Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus—a blatant violation of human rights.

STATEMENT: JMBF Urgently Calls for Justice and the Unconditional Release of Lawyers Mustafizur Rahman and Akram Hossain in Dhaka

Paris, France; October 20, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its grave concern and strongly protests the recent arbitrary arrests of two lawyers associated with the Dhaka Lawyers Association while carrying out their professional duties. We urgently call for justice and the unconditional release of Advocates Mustafizur Rahman and Akram Hossain, who were detained solely for fulfilling their roles as defense lawyers.

Advocate Mustafizur Rahman Talukdar Dipu, the former Senior Deputy General Secretary of the Dhaka Lawyers Association, and Advocate Kazi Akram Hossain were unjustly arrested on the night of October 16, 2024, by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Civil Police on false charges of murder. This act clearly threatens their professional integrity and constitutes a violation of their human rights.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Police Brutality Against Peaceful Protest by Teachers in Dhaka

Paris, France; October 18, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the recent brutal police crackdown on the peaceful demonstration by teachers from various private colleges across the country in Dhaka on October 17, 2024. It is deeply concerning that 33 teachers, including 11 women assaulted while exercising their democratic right to protest peacefully.

The use of batons, sound grenades, and water cannons by the police against unarmed educators, who were merely exercising their fundamental right to peaceful assembly, is a grave violation of both Bangladeshi and international laws protecting human rights.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Murder of Transgender Woman Ayub Ali in Tangail, Bangladesh

Paris, France; October 17, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) condemns in the strongest possible terms the tragic and senseless murder of Ayub Ali, a 47-year-old transgender woman, who was brutally killed on October 12, 2024, in Tangail, Bangladesh. Her body, bearing clear signs of violence, was discovered the following morning in an abandoned house near the microbus stand in the new bus stand area of Tangail. The police found a cloth tightly wrapped around her neck, with evidence of struggle, suggesting that she may have been strangled. A murder case has been filed, and investigations are underway to bring those responsible to justice.