Simultaneously, JusticeMakers Bangladesh demanded immediate and appropriate compensation for the arbitrary arrest and detention of those sexual minority transgender people in Bangladesh whose fundamental human rights were violated.
In a statement, signed by the Founder Secretary General of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and eminent human rights lawyer in Bangladesh advocate Shahanur Islam, the rights organization also commended the judge for recognizing the innocence of these individuals and upholding the principles of justice.
In the statement Founder Secretary General of JusticeMakers Bangladesh Advocate Shahanur Islam mentioned that it was unfortunate that those transgenders were subjected to false accusations and endured the trauma of a trial.
It is even more concerning that the transgenders were targeted based on their gender identity, which highlights the ongoing discrimination and marginalization faced by the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh, Mr. Shahanur Islam added.
Mr. Islam also mentioned that it is unacceptable that members of the transgender community in Bangladesh are facing continuous systemic oppression and violence, including arbitrary arrests and detentions.
Furthermore, Mr. Islam called on the authorities to take steps to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation, be treated with respect and dignity.
Besides, Mr. Islam thanked the judge for presenting a blanket to each of the acquitted transgender. Those gestures of kindness and compassion is a welcome reminder of the importance of treating all individuals with empathy and humanity, he added.
In the statement, JusticeMakers Bangladesh urged the authorities to take action to address the discrimination faced by the transgender community and work towards creating a more equitable and just society.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh also called on the authorities in Bangladesh to uphold their obligations to protect the rights of all citizens, regardless of their gender identity.
They also urged immediate action to prevent further acts of discrimination and violence against the transgender community and to ensure that those responsible for these violations are held accountable.
Furthermore, JusticeMakers Bangladesh demanded that the transgender individuals who were arbitrarily arrested and detained be provided with appropriate compensation for the harm that has been inflicted upon them.
It is essential that they will receive support and redress for the injustices they have suffered, the statement added.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh has also expressed its solidarity with the transgender community in Bangladesh and all those who are fighting for the recognition and protection of their rights.
Finally, JusticeMakers Bangladesh reminded that they will not tolerate discrimination and violence against any member of the sexual minority LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh.
It is noted that a Metropolitan Magistrate Court of Dhaka acquitted four transgenders in a case of extortion on 9 January 2023. After the acquittal, the learned magistrate Mr. Devdas Chandra Adhikari also presented a blanket to each of the transgenders.
The acquitted are Alo Hijra (28), Sharmin Hijra (23), Mim Hijra (30) and Ruma Hijra (25) and the case was filed on August 14, 2022 by a person named Abdur Rahim with Uttara West Police Station under Law and Order Disruptive Offenses (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002.
According to the first information report, it is known that the complainant’s daughter Roksana Akhter gave birth to a daughter seven months ago. After that, the daughter along with her granddaughter came to visit the complainant’s house.
Besides, on August 6, 2022, a daughter was born to Tanya Akhter, a tenant of the third floor of the complainant’s house. On August 11, 2022, about 4/5 transgenders came to the complainant’s house and demanded BDT 20,000 from the two families.
As the complainant was not at home, they said they would come later. Then on August 14, 2022, at 10 am, the accused transgenders gathered under the complainant’s house and made noise and demanded Tk 20,000 from the doorman Akhter Hossain.
When they refused, they pushed the doorman and went up to the fifth floor of the house, kicked the door of the complainant’s flat and threatened to come out. If the complainant does not pay Tk 10,000 as per their demand, then they will take away the complainant’s granddaughter.
When the complainant opened the door to pacify them and came out, the accused grabbed the complainant and forcibly took BDT: 3,000 and forced him to pay the rest of the BDT 7,000.
Later they went to the residence of Fazlul Karim Chowdhury, a tenant of the third floor of the complainant’s building, and demanded BDT 10,000 for their newborn baby.
Similarly, Fazlul Karim became helpless and informed the police when he showed fear. Then, the Police patrol team came and rescued them and recovered and confiscated the 3000 BDT taken from the complainant.
Later, Uttara Paschim Thana Police SI Md. Kabir Hossain filed a charge sheet against the accused in the court on 25 August 2022. The court framed charges against the accused on September 8 of the same year and ordered the trial to begin.
Finally, on 9th January 2023 the learned Metropolitan Magistrate Mr. Devdas Chandra Adhikari acquitted all of them due to not getting evidence of offence.
============================================================ 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.
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