JusticeMakers Bangladesh Founder President Advocates for LGBTI Rights at HELP International Conference

In a groundbreaking event organized by the Council of Europe's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGI) unit, the Help international course launch and conference on LGBTI persons in the asylum procedure took place on December 4, 2023, at the Council of Europe premises in Strasbourg, France. Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh (JMBF), was in attendance, emphasizing the organization's commitment to promoting justice and human rights for all.

The conference featured esteemed speakers such as Thorsten Afflerbach, Head of Division, Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Programmes at the Council of Europe, Jeroen Schokkenbroek, Director of the Directorate of Anti-Discrimination, and Leyla Kayacik, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe for Migration and Refugees. Other notable participants included Andreas Wissner, UNHCR Representative to the European Institutions in Strasbourg, and Eva Pastrana, Head of the HELP Programme at the Council of Europe.

Advocate Shahanur Islam addressed the challenges faced by LGBTI individuals during the asylum process, shedding light on the unique struggles and discrimination they encounter. His presence at the conference underscored the crucial role of organizations like JMBF in advocating for the rights of marginalized communities, particularly in the context of asylum procedures.

The event also provided a comprehensive overview of existing standards for the human rights of LGBTI persons, delivered by Francisco Peña Díaz, a prominent researcher and consultant in the field. The conference further delved into topics such as the European Asylum and Support Office (EUAA) module for applicants with diverse Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), presented by Martina Fialova.

Liana Muntean, Information and Analysis Officer at EUAA, explored jurisprudence on LGBTIQ applicants in international protection, emphasizing the importance of understanding legal precedents in shaping policies. The EUAA Case Law Database was highlighted as a valuable tool for staying updated on asylum jurisprudence, with Ana Isabela Trifescu providing insights.

Delphine Leneutre, Legal Associate at UNHCR Representation to the European Institutions in Strasbourg, Rustem Yunusov, National Coordinator LGBTIQ at the Swedish Migration Agency, and Ahmed El-Salawy of IGLYO were among the distinguished speakers contributing to the wealth of knowledge shared at the event.

Tanne Bithi Sultana, Vice President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), also attended the conference, reinforcing the organization's commitment to diversity, equality, and justice.

As the conference concluded, the collective voices of advocates, researchers, and representatives resonated, echoing a unified call for inclusive and just asylum procedures for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The contributions made by Advocate Shahanur Islam and JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) exemplify the ongoing global effort to create a more inclusive and compassionate world for the LGBTI community.

============================================================ Advocate Shahanur Islam | An Young, Ascendant, Dedicated Human Rights Defender, Lawyer and Blogger from 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.