JMBF emphasized that these arrests, driven solely by differing political views, constitute a flagrant violation of fundamental rights protected by the Constitution of Bangladesh, as well as international treaties on civil and political rights, including the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
According to various newspaper reports and JMBF's reliable sources, on Sunday, September 15, at 11 PM, 78-year-old former Minister of Cultural Affairs and freedom award-winning actor Asaduzzaman Noor, who suffers from heart disease, asthma, and diabetes, was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of the metropolitan police from Nawraton Colony, Bailey Road, Dhaka. He was later implicated in the murder case of Siam Sardar (17), filed at Mirpur Police Station. On September 16, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mosharraf Hossain ordered his detention in jail.
In the early hours of September 16, at 12:30 AM, renowned writer, filmmaker, and human rights activist Shahriar Kabir was arrested from his Banani residence by a joint DB and Tejgaon Police operation. He was charged in a murder case filed at Ramna Model Police Station concerning the shooting death of domestic worker Liza Akter. On September 17, Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md. Sanaullah granted a seven-day remand for Shahriar Kabir.
On the same day, Ekattor TV's Managing Director Mozammel Babu and *Dainik Bhorer Kagoj* editor Shyamal Dutta were apprehended by locals near the Dhopagura area of Mymensingh while allegedly attempting to cross into India illegally. Both were later brought to the DB office in Dhaka and implicated in two separate cases: Liza Akter’s murder and the killing of Fazlu during a student movement at Bhashantek. On September 17, Magistrate Md. Sanaullah granted a seven-day remand for both.
On the evening of September 16, Supreme Court lawyer and former Railway Minister Nurul Islam Sujan was arrested from Bangladesh Specialized Hospital, Shyamoli, Dhaka. He was charged with the murder of student Imran Hasan, who was shot dead, and on September 17, Metropolitan Magistrate Shaheen Reza granted a three-day remand.
On September 15, Supreme Court lawyer and former State Minister for Aviation Mahbub Ali was arrested in the Segunbagicha area. He was charged in the Siam Sardar murder case and, on September 16, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mosharraf Hossain ordered his detention in jail.
Robert Simon, French Human Rights Activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF, said, "The arbitrary arrests of these renowned cultural activists, journalists, and lawyers in Bangladesh, including Asaduzzaman Noor, Shahriar Kabir, Mozammel Babu, Shyamal Dutta, and esteemed lawyers Nurul Islam Sujan and Mahbub Ali, represent a grave violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. These individuals have been targeted solely for their differing political views, which clearly breaches the principles enshrined in the Bangladeshi Constitution and international human rights treaties."
JMBF believes that the persecution of these distinguished figures under false charges is not only an attack on their individual rights but also a threat to freedom of expression, political opinion, and democracy in Bangladesh, which must be stopped immediately.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF, emphasized, "As defenders of human rights, we stand united in our demand for justice and accountability. The Bangladeshi government must respect the rights of its citizens, refrain from suppressing dissent through unlawful detentions and politically motivated cases, and ensure an impartial and professional investigation of these incidents. The international community must not remain silent in the face of such injustice."
JMBF also urges the United Nations, European Union, and other intergovernmental and international human rights organizations to intervene immediately, calling for legal redress for the detained individuals and ensuring an impartial and transparent investigation into these recent politically motivated arbitrary arrests of prominent cultural activists, writers, researchers, lawyers, and journalists.
JMBF stands in solidarity with all victims of arbitrary arrests for their political opinions and will continue closely monitoring the situation while urging global solidarity in condemning these actions.
Thank you,
Mosa. Jannatul Ferdaus
Coordinator & Executive Member
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Email: info@jmbf.org; 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.
We from Bangladesh Manobadhiker Shamonnoy Parishad (BMSP) is expressing deep concern and also very anxious about the mob-arrest and presser justice against the so called accused’s.
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