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.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh Expresses Concern Over Forced Video Confession of Gay Couple in Jessore Circulated on Facebook

The human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh, is deeply concerned about the forced confession video of a gay couple in Jessore that was circulated on Facebook on March 20, 2023, by a Facebook page called "Motion by Hannan."

JusticeMakers Bangladesh calls upon the concerned authorities to swiftly identify the accused persons in this incident, file criminal cases against them, and provide exemplary punishment in a fair trial.

The video shows a man forcing two gay men to confess against their will. Additionally, it shows a garment worker, a sexual minority gay named Hridoy from Comilla, who came to Jessore to marry a rickshaw puller named Jibon for love. The accused video holder defamed them by creating an intimidating atmosphere. Furthermore, the accused video holder threatened to inform the teenagers' parents about the incident via mobile phone. During this, the accused video holder molested a gay teenager by dressing him up, especially his hair, and putting lipstick on his lips. Moreover, the accused video holder threatened to take action against the gay teenage couple to stop the marriage and expel them from Jessore by calling the police administration and local chairman and members.

আদালত চত্বর থেকে সাক্ষী অপহরণ, উদ্ধারে গিয়ে ৩ আইনজীবী লাঞ্ছিত

পাবনায় বুধবার আদালত চত্বর থেকে যৌতুক মামলার এক সাক্ষীকে অপহরণ এবং অপহৃতদের উদ্ধার করতে গিয়ে ৩ আইনজীবী সন্ত্রাসীদের হাতে লাঞ্ছিত হয়েছেন। এ ঘটনাকে কেন্দ্র করে আদালত চত্বরে তুলকালাম কাণ্ড ঘটে।এদিকে ৩ আইনজীবী লাঞ্ছিতের ঘটনায় আইনজীবীদের মধ্যে তীব্র ক্ষোভ বিরাজ করছে।