JMBF believes that this deplorable act underscores the deep-seated intolerance and discrimination that has emerged following the recent political upheaval in the country. These actions are a stain on the nation's conscience, undermining the values of tolerance and respect that are crucial for peaceful coexistence.
Targeting individuals based on their religious beliefs is a gross violation of human rights and a direct assault on the fundamental principles of equality, justice, and pluralism that are essential to any society.
JMBF demands that the perpetrators of these heinous acts, and those who support them, be held accountable. We call on the authorities to take immediate and decisive action to protect all citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic background, and to restore the positions of all those unjustly removed.
Robert Simon, the prominent French human rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF, rightly stated, "The systematic targeting of religious minorities, particularly Hindu teachers, is a reprehensible violation of human dignity and an affront to the universal principles of human rights. Bangladesh must take urgent measures to safeguard its minority communities and uphold the values of justice and equality."
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder and President of JMBF, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing, "The forced resignations of Hindu teachers are not just isolated incidents but part of a broader, alarming trend of religious intolerance. We must stand together to resist such divisive forces and ensure that every individual, regardless of their faith, can live and work in Bangladesh without fear of persecution."
According to reports from various news outlets in Bangladesh, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has learned that at least 49 teachers from minority communities were forced to resign across the country following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government amid a student-led uprising on August 5, 2024. These teachers were reportedly targeted due to their religious affiliations.
In the aftermath of the government's collapse, religious and ethnic minorities have endured widespread violence, including attacks, looting, assaults on women, vandalism of temples, arson attacks on homes and businesses, and killings. Hindu minority teachers, in particular, have been physically assaulted, with at least 49 forced to resign by August 30, 2024, under pressure from students allegedly backed by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Andolon Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, and other Islamic religious-based political parties.
JMBF urges that Bangladesh must stand united against hate and intolerance, ensuring that every citizen can live, work, and contribute to society without fear of persecution or violence. Additionally, JMBF calls on the international community to take note of these alarming developments and press for the protection of minority rights in Bangladesh.
JMBF stands in solidarity with the victims and demands justice for those who have suffered due to this reprehensible campaign of religious discrimination.
Thank you,
Advocate Shahanur Islam
Founder President
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
email: info@jmbf.org I website: www.jmbf.org
============================================================ JMBF is an independent non-profit, nonpartisan human rights organization registered in France with registration number W931027714 under the association law of 1901, dedicated to defending human rights, fighting for justice, and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond.
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