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.

STATEMENT: JMBF Calls for UN Intervention to Address Violence Against Minority Communities in Bangladesh

Paris, France; September 13, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is deeply alarmed by the recent wave of violent attacks targeting minority communities in Bangladesh following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024. The destruction of homes, businesses, and places of worship—particularly those belonging to Hindu, Christian, Ahmadiyya, and ethnic minority communities—represents a grave violation of human rights and threatens the safety and dignity of these vulnerable populations.

Facts in Brief: According to a report published in *Daily Prothom Alo* on September 12, 2024, it was learned that following the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, 2024, minority communities across Bangladesh have experienced a series of violent attacks. These incidents, primarily targeting the Hindu community, have resulted in the extensive destruction of homes, business establishments, and places of worship, with some properties even being set on fire.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Brutal Killing of Bangladeshi Child Joyonto Kumar Singha by BSF

Paris, France; September 12, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) unequivocally condemns the brutal killing of Joyonto Kumar Singha, a young schoolboy, and the injuring of two others, including Joyonto's father, by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel on September 9, 2024, near the Dhantala border in Thakurgaon, Bangladesh.

STATEMENT: JMBF Gravely Concerned about the Alleged Death of Sohrab Hossain and Shafiqul Islam Due to Torture in Gaibandha

Paris, France; September 11, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is profoundly outraged and horrified by the reported torture by law enforcement agencies in Gaibandha, resulting in the deaths of Sohrab Hossain and Shafiqul Islam and severe injuries to three other individuals.

STATEMENT: JMBF Gravely Concerned Over Attacks on Sufi Shrines; Urges Upholding Religious Freedom in Bangladesh

Paris, France; September 10, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is profoundly concerned about the recent surge of attacks on Sufi shrines and religious sites across Bangladesh, which have intensified following the resignation of the former Awami League government on August 5, 2024. These acts of violence and vandalism not only erode religious harmony but also jeopardize the country’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

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 the BSF Killing of Bangladeshi Teenage Schoolgirl by Fatal Shooting in Moulvibazar

Paris, France; September 07, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deep concern and strong protest over the tragic killing of 14-year-old Swarna Das, a schoolgirl who was fatally shot by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on the night of September 1, 2024, at the Lalarchak border area of Sharifpur Union, Kulaura, Moulvibazar.

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.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Forced Resignation of Minority Hindu Teachers in Bangladesh

Paris, France: September 02, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) vehemently condemns and protests the forced resignation of at least 49 religious minority Hindu teachers in Bangladesh due to their religious affiliation as of September 30, 2024, following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladesh Awami League Government.

The Looming Threat: Is Bangladesh Becoming a Safe Haven for Islamic Militancy?

Advocate Shahanur Islam

Introduction

In the wake of the former Bangladesh Awami League-led government's fall, Bangladesh seems to be veering towards a precarious future, with radical Islamic militancy gaining troubling momentum. The recent release of Jasimuddin Rahmani, a notorious Islamist cleric and spiritual leader of the banned terrorist organization Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), which is directly linked to Al-Qaeda, has sparked widespread fear and uncertainty about the country's safety and security. This release, allegedly influenced by an interim government led by Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus and supported by figures like Dr. Asif Nazrul and Adilur Rahman Khan, has raised serious concerns about the potential resurgence of radical extremism in Bangladesh.

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns Brutal Attacks on Those Paying Respects to the Founding Father of the Bengali Nation

Paris, France; August 18, 2024 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and profound outrage over recent reports of severe human rights violations in Bangladesh. These include brutal violence, suppression of fundamental rights, and the targeting of Awami League leaders and activists. The attacks on peaceful individuals attempting to pay respects at the residence of the Founding Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, on the 49th anniversary of his assassination, August 15, 2024, are egregious violations of basic human rights.

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.

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

BANGLADESH: JMBF and SIL Express Deep Concern Over Recommendation to Remove 'Sharifa's Tale' from Seventh-Grade Textbook

Paris, France: France-based human rights organizations JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and Solidarity International LGBTQI+ (SIL) express deep concern over the recent recommendation by the expert committee formed by the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh to remove "Sharifa's Tale" from the seventh-grade social science textbook.

JMBF and SIL strongly urge the Ministry of Education to reject this recommendation from the biased committee. Instead, they call for the formation of a new committee led by a Justice of the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court. This new committee should include education specialists, social scientists, and members of civil society to thoroughly investigate the content in question.

JMBF President Engages in Productive Dialogue with France's Ambassador for LGBT Rights, Fostering Progress in Bangladesh

In a significant move towards advancing SOGIE rights in Bangladesh, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBD) Founder President, Advocate Shahanur Islam, engaged in a fruitful dialogue with France's Ambassador for LGBT, Jean Marc Berthon, on April 2, 2024, at the ambassador's office.

Advocate Shahanur initiated the dialogue by shedding light on the current state of sexual minority rights in Bangladesh, particularly addressing prevalent misinformation campaigns targeting transgender individuals. One focal point of discussion was the concerning issue of transgender inclusion in school textbooks in Bangladesh, highlighting the urgent need for accurate representation and education on transgender issues.

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns Discriminatory Actions Against LGBT Individuals by Major Political Parties in Bangladesh

Paris, France; February 26, 2024: The France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over recent discriminatory actions against transgender and homosexual individuals, as well as the propagation of hate speech against homosexuality in Bangladesh by major political parties, including the ruling party Bangladesh Awami League, the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatio Party, and the Islamic-religion-based political party Islami Andolon Bangladesh.

According to reports published in various Bangladeshi newspapers, on February 4th, the Opposition Chief Whip of the National Parliament in Bangladesh and Jatiya Party General Secretary, Mujibul Haque Chunnu, demanded the removal of two lines from a seventh-grade textbook, claiming they were controversial with Islam. He argued that the inclusion of transgenderism in the textbook was solely aimed at creating social chaos by undermining traditional social values. 

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.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Receives Membership in the Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality.

In a historic development, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a human rights organization based in France aiming to ensure the rights of LGBT people in Bangladesh, has been honored with membership in the prestigious Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality (ADUH) on 16th January 2024. This recognition marks a significant stride in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and the decriminalization of homosexuality.

The Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality is renowned for its unwavering commitment to advocating for the decriminalization of homosexuality, as well as establishing the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and fostering inclusivity on an international scale. The inclusion of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) underscores the growing importance of collaboration between organizations across borders to achieve common goals in the realm of human rights.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has long been at the forefront of championing the rights of marginalized communities, particularly the LGBTQ+ population. This acknowledgment by the Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality highlights the organization's dedicated efforts in promoting equality and justice.

JMBF Receives 1000 Euro Solidarity Donation from Solidarity International LGBT

Paris, France; 2nd January 2024: In a gesture of global solidarity, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) received a significant donation of 1000.00 (one thousand) Euros from Solidarity International LGBT (SIL), a France-based non-profit association. This generous contribution is earmarked for the procurement of computer equipment, pivotal for monitoring, documenting, and reporting human rights violations against the sexual minority in Bangladesh.

The funds will also fuel JMBF's efforts in conducting lobbying, campaigns, and advocacy work aimed at bringing perpetrators of violations to justice and advancing the cause of decriminalizing homosexuality in Bangladesh.

Expressing profound gratitude, Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF and a prominent human rights lawyer, extended heartfelt thanks to Mr. Robert Simon, President of SIL, and the entire SIL team on behalf of the JMBF family. He emphasized the critical role this donation plays in fortifying their commitment to safeguarding the rights of sexual minorities in Bangladesh.