JMBF believes that the death penalty is an irreversible and inhumane punishment that has no place in a just and civilized society. Our stance aligns with both national and international legal frameworks that prioritize human dignity, the right to life, and fairness. The Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, particularly Article 32, guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, yet the death penalty stands in stark opposition to this fundamental right.
While justice and accountability are crucial, capital punishment is neither a deterrent to crime nor a means to deliver true justice. Instead, it perpetuates a cycle of violence, disproportionately affecting the marginalized, underprivileged, and those who lack access to proper legal representation.
According to data obtained by JMBF from various reliable sources, over 2,000 individuals are currently on death row in Bangladesh. The continued use of the death penalty remains a critical issue within the country’s justice system, and as part of the global movement toward abolition, JMBF emphasizes the urgent need for Bangladesh to reconsider this inhumane practice.
From 2013 to 2023, Bangladesh carried out at least 30 executions, mostly in high-profile cases involving murder, terrorism, and war crimes related to the 1971 Liberation War. However, serious concerns persist regarding the fairness of trials, with numerous reports of coerced confessions, inadequate legal defense, and the use of torture to extract information. Such practices undermine the credibility of the justice system and increase the risk of wrongful executions.
Statistics further show that Bangladesh’s conviction rate in death penalty cases is disproportionately high, reflecting a punitive approach that points to deeper flaws in the justice system. Issues such as overcrowded courts, prolonged detention without trial, and a lack of comprehensive legal aid for the accused exacerbate the misuse of the death penalty. In several cases, death sentences have been handed down without proper legal representation or fair trials, violating the fundamental rights of those accused.
JMBF is deeply concerned that the death penalty fails to serve as an effective deterrent. Rather than reducing crime, it perpetuates a cycle of violence and injustice. Global studies have demonstrated that countries without the death penalty do not experience higher rates of violent crime, further reinforcing the argument for its abolition. Since 1976, more than 85 nations have abolished the death penalty for all crimes, with many others abolishing it for ordinary crimes, signaling a growing global shift toward more humane justice systems.
Robert Simon, French human rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF states, "The death penalty is an irreversible punishment that reflects not justice, but the shortcomings of our legal system. For a fair and humane society, Bangladesh must move toward rehabilitation over retribution. Abolishing the death penalty will place the nation on the right side of history."
He further adds, "The death penalty is a tragic relic of the past. Justice is not served when the state takes a life; rather, the fundamental right to life is violated. Bangladesh, as a progressive nation, must evolve beyond this archaic form of punishment and embrace restorative justice."
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF emphasizes, "Our fight is not just for those on death row but for the integrity of our justice system and the future of human rights in Bangladesh. By abolishing the death penalty, we are sending a clear message: justice is about protecting human dignity, not taking human life."
He further states: "The legal system in Bangladesh has flaws that lead to the disproportionate application of the death penalty. The risk of wrongful execution is far too high, and no justice can be served when the punishment is irreversible. We must transition to life imprisonment as a humane alternative that preserves human dignity."
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) calls upon the Government of Bangladesh to take immediate action by:
1. Imposing a moratorium on executions as the first step toward the complete abolition of the death penalty.
2. Ensuring due process and fair trials, providing adequate legal defense, and eliminating the use of coercion, torture, and other unfair practices in capital cases.
3. Reforming the criminal justice system to introduce alternatives to the death penalty, such as long-term imprisonment, with a focus on rehabilitation rather than retribution.
4. Review all pending death penalty cases to ensure fairness and justice for the accused.
5. Initiating legislative reforms to amend the Penal Code and other relevant laws to abolish the death penalty.
6. Signing and ratifying the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR, aimed at the abolition of the death penalty.
7. Engaging in open dialogue with civil society, international human rights organizations, and global justice networks to adopt progressive and humane legal standards.
The current Interim Government of Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has expressed a commitment to human rights, which must be reflected in the nation’s legal and judicial practices. By abolishing the death penalty, Bangladesh can join the growing list of nations working toward justice, reform, and a more humane approach to law and order.
It is time for Bangladesh to align itself with the global trend toward the abolition of the death penalty and to create a justice system that values rehabilitation, fairness, and the sanctity of life.
On this World Day Against Death Penalty, we urge all stakeholders to work together to end capital punishment in Bangladesh and globally. Let us ensure that justice is driven by compassion, equity, and the protection of human dignity—not retribution.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) remains committed to advocating for a future where justice is synonymous with human rights, dignity, and fairness for all.
Thank you.
Chief Coordinator and 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.
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