OIAD ALERT: New death threats against Shahanur Islam, lawyer, human rights defender

Recently, Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi lawyer known for his human rights work, has suffered ongoing death threats against him and his family with impunity.

On 25 August 2022 Mr Islam received a threatening message in english on his phone from an unidentified number. The message threatened to kill the lawyer and his family if he continued to fight for LGBT rights in Bangladesh. On 8 September 2022, a new threatening text message was received by the lawyer.

On 6 October 2022, Saidul Islam, a transgender person and cousin of the lawyer, was kidnapped by several people in Kolabazar, Naogaon district. During the attack, the lawyer was threatened to withdraw his complaint against, among others, Jahurul Islam, the state representative in the district, who was accused of assaulting the lawyer[1].

The OIAD strongly condemns these threats against lawyer Shahanur Islam and his family.

The OIAD recalls the authorities of Bangladesh that the independence of the legal profession is one of the main indicators of democratic health and the consolidation of the rule of law. This is in line with the provisions of the UN Principles on the Role of Lawyers. (1990):

“Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment or improper interference;” (Principle 16)

“Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, they shall be adequately safeguarded by the authorities.” (Principle 17)

Read the original alert visit the following link: https://protect-lawyers.org/en/item/8085/#Alerte2

============================================================ Advocate Shahanur Islam | An Young, Ascendant, Dedicated Human Rights Defender, Lawyer and Blogger in Bangladesh, Fighting for Ensuring Human Rights, Rule of Law, Good Governance, Peace and Social Justice For the Victim of Torture, Extra Judicial Killing, Force Disappearance, Trafficking in Persons including Ethnic, Religious, Sexual and Social Minority People.