STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Physical Assault on Lawyer During Court Hearing of Former Minister Amir Hossain

Paris, France; November 07, 2024:JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the violent physical assault on Advocate Swapan Krishna Roy Chowdhury on 7 November 2024, during the remand hearing of former minister and Awami League advisory council member Amir Hossain Amu. This act, committed in the presence of a magistrate at the Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court, undermines not only the safety and independence of legal professionals but also threatens the foundational right to a fair trial.

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns Arbitrary Arrest and Inhumane Treatment of Barrister Syedul Haque Sumon, Calls for Immediate Release and Investigation

Paris, France; October 22, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and degrading treatment of Barrister Syed Syedul Haque Sumon, a former Member of Parliament, renowned social worker, anti-corruption activist, and lawyer, who was detained by police in the early hours of October 22, 2024, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. His arrest, on questionable charges related to the anti-discrimination student movement, along with his inhumane treatment while in custody, represents a grave violation of national and international human rights standards.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Attempted Murder Case Filed Against Prominent Lawyer and Human Rights Defender ZI Khan Panna in Dhaka

Paris, France; October 21, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the baseless and politically motivated filing of an attempted murder case against the distinguished Supreme Court lawyer, human rights defender, and chairman of the renowned human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), ZI Khan Panna, on October 17, 2024.

The case, brought by Md Baker at Khilgaon police station, accuses 180 individuals, including Mr. Panna, of involvement in the July 19, 2024, incident in Meradia Bazar during the anti-quota movement protests. This charge is clearly an attempt to stifle his advocacy for justice and human rights in Bangladesh, as well as retaliation for his criticism of the current government led by Chief Adviser Prof. Muhammad Yunus—a blatant violation of human rights.

STATEMENT: JMBF Urgently Calls for Justice and the Unconditional Release of Lawyers Mustafizur Rahman and Akram Hossain in Dhaka

Paris, France; October 20, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its grave concern and strongly protests the recent arbitrary arrests of two lawyers associated with the Dhaka Lawyers Association while carrying out their professional duties. We urgently call for justice and the unconditional release of Advocates Mustafizur Rahman and Akram Hossain, who were detained solely for fulfilling their roles as defense lawyers.

Advocate Mustafizur Rahman Talukdar Dipu, the former Senior Deputy General Secretary of the Dhaka Lawyers Association, and Advocate Kazi Akram Hossain were unjustly arrested on the night of October 16, 2024, by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Civil Police on false charges of murder. This act clearly threatens their professional integrity and constitutes a violation of their human rights.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Police Brutality Against Peaceful Protest by Teachers in Dhaka

Paris, France; October 18, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the recent brutal police crackdown on the peaceful demonstration by teachers from various private colleges across the country in Dhaka on October 17, 2024. It is deeply concerning that 33 teachers, including 11 women assaulted while exercising their democratic right to protest peacefully.

The use of batons, sound grenades, and water cannons by the police against unarmed educators, who were merely exercising their fundamental right to peaceful assembly, is a grave violation of both Bangladeshi and international laws protecting human rights.

Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Recent Killing of Former Student League Leaders at Dhaka, Jahangirnagar, and Rajshahi Universities by Mob Justice

Paris, France – September 20, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound concern and outrage over the rise in political violence in Bangladesh, particularly the targeted attacks on members of the Bangladesh Awami League and its affiliates. These violent incidents, which have escalated since the interim government led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus assumed power, are being perpetrated under the banner of the so-called "Anti-Discrimination Student-Citizen Movement," driven by extremist factions including Jamaat, BNP, Hefazat-e-Islam, and their militant student wings.

STATEMENT:JMBF Expresses Deep Concern Over Escalating Violence Against LGBTQI+ Members in Bangladesh

Paris, France; September 16, 2024: Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound concern and condemnation regarding the recent wave of violence, harassment, and looting targeting LGBTQI+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex) members across various parts of Bangladesh. Following the fall of the Awami League government and under the interim administration led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Islamist fundamentalist groups have intensified their violent and inhumane acts against sexual minorities, violating their fundamental human rights.

JMBF Deeply Concerned About Attempted Physical Assault and Hate Directed Towards Bangladeshi Transgender Activist

Paris, France; September 09, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the appalling acts of violence and hate directed towards our esteemed transgender activist, Ho Chiminh Islam, on August 22 and 23, 2024. JMBF urges the Bangladeshi interim government, led by Professor Yunus, to take immediate action against those responsible for these vile acts, ensuring that justice prevails and that Ho Chi Minh receives the protection she rightfully deserves.

STATEMENT: JMBF Gravely Concerned Over Politically Motivated Murder Case Filed Against Several Prominent Lawyers

Paris, France; September 04, 2024 — JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the politically motivated charges filed against a group of highly respected legal professionals, including former Law Minister Barrister Shafiq Ahmed, former Attorney General AM Amin Uddin, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Tania Amir, and others in connection with the killing of a student protester on September 1, 2024.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns Widespread Politically Motivated Legal Actions Against Journalists in Bangladesh

Paris, France – September 3, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its profound concern and strong condemnation regarding the recent alarming wave of politically motivated, false, and fabricated legal actions taken against journalists in Bangladesh following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime on August 5, 2024.

JMBF deeply mourns the recent tragic suicidal death of transgender model Radia Teherin Utsha in Dhaka.

Paris, France; April 23, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) deeply mourns the tragic suicidal death of transgender model Radia Teherin Utsha in Dhaka on April 22, 2024. JMBF believes that Radia Teherin Utsha's death is a sobering reminder of the human cost of prejudice and discrimination. We should honor her memory by redoubling our efforts to create a society where all people are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their gender identity.

JMBF learned from its reliable sources that Radia Teherin Utsha, a 19-year-old transgender model, tragically ended her life by jumping from the sixth-floor roof of Byatikram Mahila Hostel in Mirpur, Dhaka. Radia, a student in the honors first year at Mirpur Bangla College, took this drastic step on April 22, Monday, around 8:00 PM.

Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Conviction of Transgender Individuals in Dhaka, Demands Immediate Release

Paris, France; April 7, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the recent conviction and imprisonment of five individuals from the transgender/third gender/hijra community on charges of extortion and public disturbance at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, on April 6, 2024.

France-based Rights Organization JMBF believes that this action, aimed at the sexual minority transgender/hijra/third gender community, will exacerbate the marginalization of an already vulnerable group in society and perpetuate harmful stereotypes, failing to address the root causes of their alleged behavior and activities.

STATEMENT: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Condemns Arrest of Lesbian Individual in Dhaka

Paris, France; February 20, 2024: The France-based rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern and anger over the arrest of a sexual minority lesbian girl from Dhaka, who has been arrested and sent to jail custody on false and fabricated kidnapping charges in Barishal, solely because of her sexual orientation and same-sex relationship.

According to news published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, Mim Akhter, the daughter of Sahidul Islam from Bahadurpur village in Muladi upazila of Barisal, fell in love with Rober Liza, a jim trainer and a former cricket player of the National Women's Cricket Team of Bangladesh. Later, she divorced her husband, as she was forced into marriage by her parents about five years ago. On January 25, 2024, she finally ran away with her girlfriend, Rober Liza, for the third time after repeated attempts and married her. However, her girlfriend, Rober Liza, was arrested in the kidnapping case filed by her mother. Police arrested her girlfriend, Rober Liza, along with her from Dhaka on February 12, 2024.

STATEMENT: JMBF Expresses Grave Concerns Over the Misinformation Campaign Against the Positive Inclusion of Third-Gender Portrayal in Textbooks.

Paris, France; January 24, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) vehemently condemns the recent actions and statements made by Mr. Asif Mahatab Utsho, a former teacher at BRAC University. The incident, which involves false propaganda against the positive portrayal of third gender issues and spreading misinformation about homosexuality in Bangladesh and Europe, along with the subsequent tearing up of Class Seven textbook pages, is highly concerning and goes against the principles of responsible academic discourse.

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.

প্রেস বিবৃতি: ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে স্নাতক শিক্ষাক্রমে ট্রান্সজেণ্ডার কোটা বাতিল এবং রংপুরে জাতীয় সংসদ সদস্য পদপার্থী ট্রান্সজেণ্ডার নারীর উপর হামলার ঘটনায় জেএমবিএফ গভীরভাবে উদ্বিগ্ন!

প্যারিস,ফ্রান্স;২৬ ডিসেম্বর ২০২৩: প্রতিক্রিয়াশীল মুসলিম ছাত্র ছাত্রীদের আন্দোলনের মূখে ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় কর্তৃপক্ষ কর্তৃক স্নাতক পর্যায়ের শিক্ষাক্রমে নির্ধারিত ট্রান্সজেন্ডার কোটা বাতিলের ঘোষণা এবং দ্বাদশ জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচনে রংপুর-৩ আসনে ট্রান্সজেন্ডার নারী স্বতন্ত্র প্রার্থী আনোয়ারা ইসলাম রানীর উপর আক্রমণের ঘটনায় ফ্রান্স ভিত্তিক মানবাধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠান জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ)গভীর উদ্বেগ ও প্রতিবাদ জানিয়েছে।

সমাজের পশ্চাদপদ অবহেলিত জনগোষ্ঠির অংশ হওয়া স্বত্তেও শুধুমাত্র যৌন সংখ্যালঘু সম্প্রদায়ের অন্তর্ভূক্ত হওয়ায় প্রতিক্রিয়াশীল মুসলিম ছাত্র ছাত্রীদের আন্দোলনের মূখে ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় কর্তৃপক্ষ কর্তৃক স্নাতক পর্যায়ের শিক্ষাক্রমে নির্ধারিত ট্রান্সজেন্ডার কোটা বাতিলের ঘোষণা এবং বর্তমান সরকারের সহযোগী ও জাতীয় সংসদের তথাকথিত বিরোধী দল জাতীয় পার্টির নেতা কর্মীদের দ্বারা দ্বাদশ জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচনে রংপুর-৩ আসনে স্বতন্ত্র প্রার্থী ট্রান্সজেন্ডার নারী আনোয়ারা ইসলাম রানীর উপর আক্রমণের ঘটনা বাংলাদেশের সর্বোচ্চ আইন সংবিধান ও জাতিসংঘ ঘোষিত সার্বজনীন মানবাধিকারের সুস্পষ্ট লংঘন বলে জেএমবিএফ মনে করে।

Statement: JMBF expresses deep concern about the restriction of a transgender woman from participating in the Women's Career Carnival as a speaker at North South University.

Paris, France; November 26, 2023: The France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), has expressed profound concern and protest over the cancellation of the scheduled session featuring Bangladeshi transgender woman Ho Chi Minh Islam as a speaker at the Women's Career Carnival. The cancellation was reportedly influenced by pressure from conservative student groups at North South University. JMBF believes that the discriminatory treatment of Ho Chi Minh Islam, solely because she is a transgender woman, is a blatant violation of Bangladesh's Supreme Law Constitution and the universal human rights declared by the United Nations.

Based on various reliable sources, JMBF has learned that on November 24-25, 2023, two organizations, Heroes for All and ISOSHAL, organized the Women's Career Carnival at the North South University campus. The event aimed to empower women through networking, learning, and professional development. Transgender woman and rights activist Ho Chi Minh Islam was scheduled to participate as a speaker in a session on the afternoon of November 24. Her speech was intended to address the inclusion of marginalized communities in the workforce and the creation of an inclusive environment for their work.

Statement: JMBF Urges Justice for the Killing of Homosexual Butcher Khairul Islam in Dhaka

Paris, France; November 20, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses grave concern over the recent tragic and heinous murder of Khairul Islam, a gay butcher at Dakkhinkhan in Dhaka on the night of November 12, 2023.

The rights organization urges the government to give exemplary punishment to the alleged culprit through a prompt and fair trial. Additionally, they call for immediate measures to protect members of the LGBT community, preventing similar incidents in the future.

According to reports from various Bangladeshi news media, police recovered Butcher Khairul's bloodied body wrapped in a blanket from his shop in Dakshinkhan police station in Dhaka on the night of September 12, 2023. One wound was found on his nose, and three sharp weapon wounds were discovered on his neck. Initially, investigators had no leads, but later, individuals were arrested on suspicion. During intensive interrogation, Shahidul Islam, a butcher from a nearby shop, admitted that he worked at Judge Mia's meat shop in Adam Ali Market. Every day, after selling meat, he went home to Bereid. However, on the day of the incident, Khairul asked him to sleep in his shop, "Afsal Gost Bitan." Shahidul agreed, and around 11 o'clock, Khairul allegedly attempted a homosexual advance. Shahidul, angered by this, hit Khairul's face with a meat cutter chapati from Khairul's butcher's box, causing him to fall. Shahidul then struck Khairul's right-side neck more than three times to ensure his death. After confirming the victim's death, he wiped the body with a blanket, placed it in a box, covered Khairul with another blanket, and fled the scene.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Outrage over Arbitrary Arrests and Police Brutality against Pro BNP-Jamaat Lawyers in Bangladesh.

Paris, France: November 4, 2023 - JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) deeply expresses concern and outrage over the arbitrary arrests, fabrication of false cases, and the occurrence of police brutality against lawyers associated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh during peaceful demonstrations and protests in Dhaka and Faridpur.

France-based human rights organization, JMBF, calls for the identification of the accused through an impartial investigation led by a High Court Judge and the immediate, unconditional release of the arrested lawyers, along with the dropping of all charges against them.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Grave Concern over Sentencing of Two Human Rights Defenders in Bangladesh

PARIS, FRANCE - September 16, 2023 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, is deeply alarmed by the recent verdict that has sentenced two Bangladeshi human rights defenders Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan to two years' imprisonment.

The imprisonment of these two human rights defenders raises serious questions about the state of freedom for human rights activists and activism in Bangladesh. JMBF stands in solidarity with Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, two unwavering champions of human rights in Bangladesh.