Friday, December 20, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Brutal Killings of Three Bangladeshi Youths by the BSF at Jessore

Paris, France; December 20, 2024: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns the barbaric killing of three Bangladeshi youths –Md. Jahangir, Shahabor Ali, and Sakibur Rahman – who suffered sharp weapon injuries and beatings at the Panchbhulot border in Sharsha upazila, Jessore, on December 18, 2024. This inhumane act, allegedly perpetrated by members of the Indian Border Security Force (BSF), constitutes a grave violation of domestic laws, international treaties, and fundamental human rights principles.

JMBF urges the Government of India to immediately cease such provocative and intrusive behavior and demands that the Government of Bangladesh take effective steps to stop the killing of Bangladeshi citizens by the Indian BSF.

Monday, December 16, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Gravely Concerned Over Recent Death of Three Individuals Due to Torture by Law Enforcement Agencies

Paris, France; December 16, 2024:
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the heinous and unlawful acts of torture and killing carried out by law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh, which have resulted in the tragic deaths of three individuals: Rafiqul Islam Dudu, Hazrat Ali, and Atiq Hasan Sardar on December 13, 06, and 03, 2024, respectively. These incidents, which occurred in the first half of December 2024, highlight a disturbing pattern of police, army, and joint force brutality and blatant violations of both national and international human rights standards.

JMBF is horrified by the alleged gross human rights violations committed by law enforcement officers, who are entrusted with the duty of protecting citizens, not causing harm under the present interim government led by Nobel laureate for peace, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus. These individuals were subjected to extreme torture and inhumane treatment, leading to their deaths under suspicious circumstances.

Thursday, December 12, 2024

Human Rights Day 2024: JMBF Founder Highlights Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh at Paris Event

Paris, December 12, 2024 – In celebration of Human Rights Day 2024, Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder and President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), participated in a high-profile event at the Hôtel du Ministre, Quai d'Orsay, Paris, on December 10, 2024. Organized by the Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs, the event convened prominent human rights advocates, government officials, and international representatives to address global human rights challenges.

The event opened with remarks by Isabelle Rome, French Ambassador for Human Rights and former Minister for Equity, and Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, setting the stage for a series of engaging discussions moderated by Frédéric Jung, Deputy Director of the United Nations, International Organizations, Human Rights, and La Francophonie.

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Statement on World Human Rights Day 2024

Paris, France; December 10, 2024: On the occasion of World Human Rights Day 2024, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) joins the global community in reaffirming its commitment to the advancement of human rights and equality. This year’s theme,Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now” serves as a timely reminder of the work still to be done in Bangladesh to create a society free of oppression and injustice. This day is not just a celebration of universal human rights, but also a call to action to address inequality, uphold dignity, and foster justice for every citizen of Bangladesh.

Sunday, December 8, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Calls on EU Ambassadors to Raise Concerns About Gross Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh Under the Present Interim Government During Meeting with the Chief Adviser

Paris, France; December 8, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France base human rights organisation urgently appeals to Ambassadors from all European Union (EU) countries to collectively address the ongoing and egregious human rights violations in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. These violations have intensified following the mass uprisings of August 5, 2024, which led to the collapse of the Bangladesh Awami League-led government. The upcoming meeting between EU heads of mission and the Chief Adviser on December 9, 2024, offers a crucial opportunity for the international community to stand for justice, human rights, and the rule of law in Bangladesh.

Friday, December 6, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Killing of Bangladeshi Citizen by BSF at Panchagarh: Calls for Justice and Adherence to International Human Rights Standards

Paris, France; December 6, 2024: 
France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), strongly condemns and protests the extrajudicial killing of Anwar Hossain, a 35-year-old Bangladeshi citizen, by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in the early hours of December 6, 2024, at the Mominpara border in Panchagarh Sadar Upazila, Panchagarh. This tragic incident, where an unarmed Bangladeshi citizen was fatally shot, constitutes a blatant violation of national sovereignty, international human rights law, and the principles of humanity.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

JMBF President Attends View Exchange Meeting with French Human Rights Ambassador

On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the President of JMBF attended a significant View Exchange meeting hosted by Mrs. Isabelle Rome, the French Ambassador for Human Rights and responsible for the duty of remembrance concerning the international dimension of the Shoah and spoliations. The event took place at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM, and gathered former laureates of the prestigious Marianne Initiative.

The meeting offered a platform for in-depth discussions on human rights issues, with a special focus on the role of remembrance in fostering understanding of the Shoah and its lasting impact. Mrs. Rome, known for her advocacy in international human rights, led the conversation, providing insight into France's efforts to preserve the memory of historical injustices and promote human dignity.

Friday, November 29, 2024

Would Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu Have Been Arrested If He Had Remained Silent?

Advocate Shahanur Islam & Mosa. Jannatul Ferdaus

The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, a revered Hindu monk and vocal minority rights advocate in Bangladesh, has sparked intense debates on justice, dissent, and minority rights. Charged with sedition and allegedly desecrating the national flag during a protest against violence targeting Hindus, Prabhu’s detention raises a critical question: Would he have faced the same fate had he remained silent about the suffering of the Hindu minority?

Thursday, November 28, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF is Deeply Concerned and Condemns the Killing of Lawyer Saiful Islam and Police Brutality During Protests in Chittagong

Paris, France; November 28, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) unequivocally expresses its deep concern and condemnation of the brutal killing of lawyer Saiful Islam, a 32-year-old member of the Chattogram District Bar Association and Assistant Public Prosecutor at the Chattogram Court, during the violent clashes on November 26, 2024. This heinous crime, committed amid a chaotic confrontation between law enforcement and protesters supporting Hindu religious leader and Spokesperson of the United Sanatoni Jagoran Alliance, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, is a grave attack on justice and the legal community.

JMBF also strongly denounces police brutality during the protests, where law enforcement agencies, including the police and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), resorted to batons and sound grenades, injuring at least 10 people. The indiscriminate violence against protesters is a clear violation of their fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and expression. Such actions only exacerbate tensions and undermine the rule of law.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Deeply Concerned and Condemns the Arrest and Detention of Chinmoy Krishna Das: Urges Immediate Unconditional Release

Paris, France; November 26, 2024:
 JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses its profound outrage and strongest condemnation of the unjust arrest and detention of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a revered Hindu priest and leading advocate for minority rights in Bangladesh.

His abrupt apprehension on November 25, 2024, at Hazrat Shah Jalal International Airport in Dhaka and subsequent transfer to Chattogram under fabricated charges of sedition, represent yet another dark chapter in the systematic suppression of minority voices and democratic freedoms in Bangladesh under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

Sunday, November 24, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Gravely Concerned About Rising Assaults on Bangladesh’s Cultural and Spiritual Freedom

Paris, France; November 24, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the rising wave of religious extremism and cultural repression in Bangladesh, as highlighted by the cancellation of the ‘Mahati Sadhu Sangh and Lalon Fair’ on November 21, 2024, and the systematic attacks on sacred shrines and spiritual practices across the country. These incidents represent a grave assault on Bangladesh’s pluralistic heritage and an alarming shift toward intolerance under the interim government led by Nobel Peace Laureate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus since August 8, 2024.

Friday, November 22, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Continuous Extrajudicial Killings Under the Interim Government of Bangladesh

Paris, France; November 22, 2024 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the alarming trend of continuous extrajudicial killings under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, which assumed power on August 8, 2024. These heinous acts of state violence, carried out by law enforcement agencies, including the army and joint police forces, represent gross violations of the Constitution, human rights, the rule of law, and international standards of justice.

Wednesday, November 20, 2024

JMBF Statement on Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) 2024

Paris, France; November 20, 2024- On this Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) 2024, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) solemnly honors the memory of transgender individuals who have tragically lost their lives to anti-transgender violence. While this day serves as a global observance, we particularly focus on the alarming rise in violence against transgender people in Bangladesh, where systemic discrimination and religious intolerance continue to devastate the transgender community.

Robert Simon, Chief Adviser of JMBF, emphasizes, "In Bangladesh, transgender individuals, particularly Hijra and other gender-diverse communities, suffer from relentless violence, social exclusion, and denial of basic human rights. Many are deprived of access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, forcing them into precarious and vulnerable situations. As we remember those we have lost, we renew our unwavering commitment to fighting against these injustices."

Saturday, November 16, 2024

Are LGBT Teachers Paying the Price for Political Turmoil in Bangladesh?

Advocate Shahanur Islam

In recent months, Bangladesh has witnessed a disturbing rise in violence and discrimination against LGBT educators, coinciding with the formation of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. While the political transition aimed to usher in stability after the contentious tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, this shift has exposed deep societal fissures and exacerbated existing vulnerabilities faced by marginalized communities.

The backdrop of this violence lies in the chaotic political environment that culminated in Hasina’s resignation. Her tenure, marked by increasingly authoritarian measures, had sparked widespread protests and a corresponding harsh crackdown on dissent. Following her exit and the establishment of Yunus’s interim leadership, the focus of governance shifted toward stabilizing the political landscape rather than addressing pressing human rights concerns.

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Brutal Killing of Gay Teacher in Meherpur, Bangladesh

Accused Murderers Arrested
Arrested Accused Murderers
Paris, France; November 13, 2024:
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the brutal killing of Sujan Ali, a gay kindergarten teacher from Jibon Nagar, Meherpur. Sujan's tragic murder on the night of October 6, 2024, in the very school where he dedicated his life to nurturing young minds, serves as a stark and harrowing reminder of the deadly consequences of prejudice and hate against the LGBTQI+ community.

Sunday, November 10, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Recent Cancellation of Press Accreditation Cards for 167 Journalists by the Interim Government of Bangladesh

Paris, France; November 10, 2024 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) unequivocally condemns the recent cancellation of press accreditation cards for 167 professional journalists by the Directorate of Information (PID) under the interim government of Dr. Mohammad Yunus. This decision, implemented in three phases, represents an alarming violation of fundamental principles enshrined in both national and international law, jeopardizing the essence of free speech and press freedom—cornerstones of any democratic society.

Thursday, November 7, 2024

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Physical Assault on Lawyer During Court Hearing of Former Minister Amir Hossain

Paris, France; November 07, 2024:
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the violent physical assault on Advocate Swapan Krishna Roy Chowdhury on 7 November 2024, during the remand hearing of former minister and Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu. This act, committed in the presence of a magistrate at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, undermines not only the safety and independence of legal professionals but also threatens the foundational right to a fair trial.