JMBF Quarterly eNewsletter: April-June 2024

Dear Friends and Supporters,

Welcome to the latest edition of our quarterly eNewsletter, covering the period from April to June 2024. At JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), we are committed to promoting equitable justice and driving positive change within our communities.

In this issue, we are excited to share with you insightful articles and impactful initiatives that showcase the progress we have made in advancing our cause. We are grateful for the unwavering support of our dedicated team members, partners, and supporters, without whom none of this would be possible.

We are honoured to have you on this journey with us, and together, we can make a meaningful difference.​ To read the full eNewsletter in PDF format, please visit here.

Thank you for your continued support.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Urges Immediate Release of Arrested Two Homosexual Youths in Chuadanga

Paris, France; June 28, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned over the recent arrest of two homosexual youths, Enayet Ullah and Sabuj Hossain, on charges of same-sex marriage by the Jibannagar police in Chuadanga on June 22, 2024. The France-based rights organization demands the immediate release of both youths, the dropping of all charges against them, and calls for steps to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.

According to news published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, JMBF has learned that on June 22, 2024, Saturday, at 12:30 pm, Enayet Ullah (25) and Sabuj Hossain (24) were arrested by the Jibannagar police on charges of same-sex marriage from Hariharnagar in the border union of Jibannagar upazila, Chuadanga. Enayet Ullah is the son of Abdul Majid of Harihannagar village, and Sabuj Hossain is the son of Alauddin of Kushadanga village of Swaruppur union in the neighboring Maheshpur upazila under Jhenaidah district.

JMBF Publishes Annual State of Torture and Extra-Judicial Killing in Bangladesh 2023

Paris, France, June 26, 2024 : JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has published the Annual State of Torture and Extra-Judicial Killing in Bangladesh 2023 today, coinciding with the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. This meticulously documented report highlights 148 incidents of torture, extrajudicial killings, and inhumane treatment and degrading behavior in Bangladesh by Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) throughout 2023. Based on continuous monitoring of online news media published from Bangladesh and abroad, this report reveals a disturbing trend of human rights violations by LEAs, impacting a total of 1,842 individuals.

You can read and download the full summary report visit by JMBF Annual State of Torture and Extra-Judicial Killing in Bangladesh 2023

JMBF Founder Shahanur Presents Paper on LGBTQI+ Challenges in Bangladesh in Vienna, Austria

Advocate Shahanur Islam, the founder of the Justice Makers Bangladesh Foundation (JMBF), presented a pivotal paper titled "Mapping LGBTQI+ Challenges in Bangladesh: A Media Analysis 2023" at the 6th World Conference on Social Sciences Studies (#3SCONF). The conference, held from June 20-22, 2024, in Vienna, Austria, brought together leading scholars, activists, and practitioners to discuss pressing social science issues.

Islam’s presentation highlighted the systematic monitoring and analysis of media portrayals and coverage of LGBTQI+ issues in Bangladesh throughout 2023. The paper underscored the significant challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community in a socio-political landscape marked by conservative attitudes and legal constraints.

JMBF Founder Shahanur Islam Speaks at Geneva Event on Gender, Justice, and Refugee Law

Advocate Shahanur Islam, the founder and president of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), delivered a compelling speech today at the 2024 NGO Consultations Side Event titled "Gender, Justice, and the Law: Legal and Practical Challenges for Refugees," held at the Geneva International Conference Centre on 10 June 2024. The event focused on the critical issue of access to legal services for women, girls, and LGBTQI+ refugees.

This side event was organized by PILnet, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), St. Andrews Refugee Service (StARS), and members of the legal community. It aimed to share knowledge and best practices on addressing the legal and practical challenges faced by refugees, particularly in the context of gender justice.

INDIA-BANGLADESH: JMBF Condemns Killing of Bangladeshi Citizen by Indian Border Security Force at Kumilla

Paris, France: June 11, 2024 - Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses profound concern and vehemently protests the killing of Bangladeshi citizen Anowar Hossain at the Jamtla Indian border area of Burichong upazila in Comilla on Sunday, June 9, 2024, by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF).

JMBF strongly condemns this egregious act of violence against an unarmed civilian along the India-Bangladesh border, which represents a blatant violation of human rights. JMBF demands immediate attention and action from the both India and Bangladesh government to provide exemplary punishment to the perpetrators involved in such gross human rights violations.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over the Vandalism of Lalon Akhra in Kushtia!

Paris, France:The France-based human rights organization, Justicemakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), has expressed deep outrage and concern over the incident of the destruction of the Akhra of Baul Nishan Ali in Mirpur, Kushtia, on the night of June 7, 2024. The human rights organization has called for the immediate identification and exemplary punishment of the perpetrators.

URGENT APPEAL: Request for Prompt Action on Alleged Police Torture in Barisal

Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan, M.P.

Honorable Minister

Ministry of Home Affairs

Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka-1000

Email: minister@mha.gov.bd

Greetings from the human rights organization Justicemakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)!

Justicemakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), established on the principles of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (Bill of Rights), has been continuously dedicated to the protection and promotion of human rights since its inception. It is the constitutional sacred duty of the state to uphold the fundamental rights, including human rights, of every citizen of Bangladesh.

URGENT APPEAL: Seeking Urgent Intervention Regarding Police Torture in Jhikargacha Upazila, Jessore

To,

Mr. Asaduzzaman Khan, M.P. 

Honorable Minister 

Ministry of Home Affairs 

Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh 

Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka-1000. 

Email: minister@mha.gov.bd 

Dear Sir,

Warm greetings from JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)!

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBAF), founded on the ideals of the United Nations Human Rights Charter (Bill of Rights), has been continuously engaged in the protection and promotion of human rights since its inception. It is the constitutional duty of the state to uphold the fundamental human rights of every citizen of Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Condemns the Alleged Death of Afroza Begum Due to Torture in Abhaynagar Police Station, Jashore

Paris, France – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and outrage over the tragic and brutal death of Afroza Begum, a 40-year-old housewife from Jessore, who allegedly died due to torture while in police custody at Abhaynagar Police Station, Jashore, on June 2, 2024.

According to reports published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, Afroza Begum was forcibly taken from her home by a police team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Silon Ali on the night of June 1, 2023. Despite no incriminating evidence found during the initial search, she was subjected to severe physical abuse. ASI Silon Ali beat her until she fell to the ground and then tortured her further by tying her hair to a fan. The police also demanded a bribe of Tk 2 lakh for her release. When the family could not pay, she was allegedly tortured to death.The police claim that Afroza Begum was arrested with 30 pieces of yaba and that she died of natural causes. 

BANGLADESH-INDIA: JMBF Unveils Annual State of Indo-Bangla Border Violence 2023

Paris, France – June 01, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) today released the comprehensive report on the annual state of violence along the Indo-Bangladesh border for the year 2023.  The report documents 55 violent incidents that have resulted in 66 victims, underscoring the urgent need for effective interventions to address this persistent issue from January to December 2023. The incidents have led to fatalities, injuries, and detainments, affecting numerous individuals and communities across the border.

To read the full report in PDF, please visit: Annual State of Indo-Bangla Border Violence 2023

The report reveals a troubling pattern of violence, with the majority of incidents being perpetrated against males, resulting in 64 male victims from 53 incidents, while females were targeted in two incidents, leading to two female victims. Despite the lower number of incidents involving females, the violence they experienced was equally severe.