STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns Cancellation of Transgender Quota at Dhaka University and Attacks on Transgender Candidates in Rangpur

Paris, France; December 26, 2023: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses grave concern and protests over the announcement of the cancellation of the transgender quota set by Dhaka University authorities in undergraduate education, in response to the movement by reactionary Muslim students. JMBF also condemns the attack on Anwara Islam Rani, a transgender independent candidate in the Rangpur-3 constituency during the 12th national election.

JMBF believes that despite being part of the backward and neglected groups in society, the cancellation of the transgender quota by Dhaka University authorities, influenced by the reactionary Muslim students' movement, and the incident of the attack on Anwara Islam Rani, an independent candidate in Rangpur-3 constituency during the 12th National Assembly elections by the leaders and activists of the Jatiya Party, a self-proclaimed opposition party in the Jatiya Sangsad, is a clear violation of Bangladesh's supreme law, the Constitution, and the universal human rights declared by the United Nations.

According to news published in various Bangladeshi newspapers, JMBF has learned that in response to the movement by reactionary Muslim students, Dhaka University authorities announced the cancellation of the transgender quota for undergraduate education. The University Grants Commission, in its 46th Annual Report, recommended special arrangements for higher education for Hijras to the government. Dhaka University introduced a quota called 'Transgender/Hijra' in undergraduate admissions in the last academic year 2022-2023 to ensure higher education opportunities for sexual minorities. Students opposed this quota after the publication of the admission notification for the academic year 2023-24 on December 18. They demanded the cancellation of this quota or the removal of the word 'transgender' from the quota. In response to their demands, Dhaka University authorities verbally announced the cancellation of the transgender quota.

On the other hand, during a mass meeting in Rangpur-3 Constituency on December 22, at approximately 8:30 pm, workers and supporters of the Jatiya Party (JAPA) attacked Anwara Islam Rani, an independent candidate of the sexual minority, the third gender, in the Deodoba Barabari Morichtari area of Ward No. 14 in Rangpur city. Anwara Islam Rani stated that since the allocation of symbols, she has been campaigning in accordance with the rules. From Friday afternoon, she held public meetings in different neighborhoods of Ward 14. When she came to Morichitari intersection in the evening, 20 to 25 people gathered to see her. While talking to them, some workers and supporters of the Jatiya Party snatched the hand mic from her hand and started pushing her.

They then chased her away after abusing and threatening to kill her. Rani also mentioned that the Jatiya Party has realized that the people of Rangpur no longer want them. The common people will support her, and she will win with a significant number of votes on the 7th. Therefore, they are attacking her. She vows that there is no use in attacking or intimidating her. She has entered the field to improve the fate of the people of Rangpur, so she will not be afraid of anyone. Anwara Islam Rani stated that she will discuss with her staff, supporters, and advisers to make a legal decision regarding those involved in the attack.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) founding president and human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam expressed strong anger and condemnation of the two incidents mentioned. Advocate Shahanur Islam believes that these two incidents will set a negative example of the increasing rise of reactionary forces due to the lack of democracy and the rule of law in the country, which is not desirable in the twenty-first century.

Advocate Shahanur Islam has demanded the immediate implementation of quotas for backward sexual minorities in every educational institution in the country, including Dhaka University. Moreover, he called upon every person involved in the attack on Anwara Islam Rani, an independent candidate during election campaigning in Rangpur, to be immediately arrested and given exemplary punishment in a fair trial under criminal law.

At the same time, Advocate Shahanur Islam called upon the concerned authorities to ensure that the independent candidate Anwara Islam Rani can conduct her election campaign without any hindrance and intimidation, and that the voters can exercise their right to vote effectively and without fear.

Above all, Advocate Shahanur Islam has strongly demanded the immediate repeal of Article 377 of the Penal Code and the enactment and implementation of the Sexual Minorities Protection and Rights Act to eliminate all types of discrimination against sexual minorities and establish their rights.

With regards,

Advocate Shahanur Islam

Founder President

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)

Email: saikotbihr@gmail.com

Blog: www.shahanur.blogspot.com

Mobile/WhatsApp/Signal: +33 07 83 95 23 15

============================================================ 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.