Police Violence Against Student Protesters: A Crucial Test of Democracy, the Rule of Law, and State Accountability

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By Advocate Shahanur Islam

The rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and peaceful protest are not merely hallmarks of political liberty; they are indispensable foundations of any democratic society governed by the rule of law. Throughout history, students have stood at the forefront of social and political transformation, often serving as catalysts for democratic change and public accountability. Whether one agrees with the objectives of a student movement is ultimately a matter of political opinion. What is beyond dispute, however, is that when a protest remains peaceful, the state bears a constitutional and international legal obligation to protect—not suppress—the exercise of those rights.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMFB Expresses Deep Concern and Strongly Condemns Police Baton Charge on Peaceful College Student Protesters in Dhaka

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Paris, France | 16 July 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMFB) expresses its deep concern and strongly condemns the police baton charge and use of force against HSC candidates and college students who were peacefully demonstrating in front of the National Parliament on 14 July 2026, demanding the resignation of the Minister of Education.

Threads Under Pressure: The Ready-Made Garment Workers’ Rights Crisis in Bangladesh 2026

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JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) presents this report, Threads Under Pressure: The Ready-Made Garment Workers’ Rights Crisis in Bangladesh, at a critical time. Since 5 August 2024, the sector has experienced factory closures, mass job losses, wage insecurity, labour unrest, financial difficulties, and growing uncertainty for workers and their families.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: JMBF Launches Landmark Report Exposing Escalating Crisis of Ready-Made Garment Workers' Rights in Bangladesh

"Threads Under Pressure: The Ready-Made Garment Workers' Rights Crisis in Bangladesh 2026"

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Paris, France | 15 July 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based independent international human rights organization, today released its human rights monitoring report, "Threads Under Pressure: The Ready-Made Garment Workers' Rights Crisis in Bangladesh 2026," documenting widespread labour rights violations and a deteriorating human rights situation in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector during the first half of 2026.

JMBF Joins 42 Other Civil Society Organisations, MEPs, and UN Expert in Urging the European Parliament to Clarify the Reported Exclusion of FEMYSO

Paris, France | 14 July 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has joined 42 other civil society organisations, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), and an independent United Nations mandate holder in signing an open letter calling on the European Parliament to urgently clarify reports that the Forum of European Muslim Youth and Student Organisations (FEMYSO) has been excluded from participation in European Parliament activities, beginning with the European Youth Event (EYE).

BANGLADESH: Passage of the Narcotics Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026 Introducing the Death Penalty Contravenes International Human Rights Law

Paris, France | 13 July 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strong condemnation over the passage by the Parliament of Bangladesh of the Narcotics Control (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which introduces the death penalty as the maximum punishment for offences involving the online sale, purchase, supply, advertisement, brokerage, or transaction of narcotic drugs.

BANGLADESH ALERT: JMBF Expresses Grave Concern over Custodial Deaths in Dhaka Central Jail and Kishoreganj Police Custody

Paris, France | 12 July 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based international human rights organization, expresses its profound concern and unequivocally condemns the recent custodial deaths of Mr. Moniruzzaman Monir Matubbar, a Jubo League leader and businessman, at Dhaka Central Jail, and Mr. Rubel Mia, who died while in police custody at Nikli Police Station in Kishoreganj District.

JMBF Officially Registered in the European Union Transparency Register

Paris, France | 11 July 2026: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is pleased to announce that it was officially registered in the European Union Transparency Register on 10 July 2026, under Transparency Register REG Number: 0635235105176-78. This important achievement marks a significant milestone in the organization's commitment to transparency, democratic engagement, and advocacy for human rights, justice, accountability, and the rule of law.