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.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Welcomes the Reserved Quota for Third Gender Individuals in Government Jobs

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) heartily welcomes the landmark verdict passed by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh for the reservation of quotas for third gender individuals in government jobs.

On July 21, 2024, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh mandated the reservation of quotas for third gender individuals in government jobs. The verdict also includes provisions for physically challenged persons, ethnic minorities, and relatives of veterans who fought in the 1971 War of Independence.

STATEMENT: JMBF Demands Justice for the Brutal Murder of Transgender Woman Mangali alias Poly in Jessore

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deepest sorrow and strongest condemnation of the horrific murder of Mangali alias Poly, a 35-year-old transgender woman in Machna Mahalpara in Jessore, Bangladesh, by her boyfriend on June 28, 2024.

JMBF demands justice for Poly and calls upon the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that the perpetrator is held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. The swift arrest and confession of Babu Hossain must be followed by a thorough investigation and a fair trial to bring justice to Poly and her family.

According to news published in various Bangladeshi media outlets, JMBF learned that on June 28, 2024, early Friday morning, a transgender woman named Mangali alias Poly (35) was brutally killed by her boyfriend, Babu Hossain, by slitting her throat in the Manirampur police station area of Jessore district. The police recovered her body from Machna Mahalpara of Khanpur Union in the upazila around 8 PM the same day. The deceased, Mangali alias Poly (35), was the daughter of the late Khalek Gazi from Machna Gazipara village in the same district.

STATEMENT: JMBF Urges Reconsideration of Removal Decision of "Sharifa's Tale" from Bangladeshi Textbooks

Paris, France; July 03, 2024: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the recent decision by the Education Ministry of Bangladesh to remove "Sharifa's Tale" from the History and Social Science textbook for seventh-grade students.

JMBF urges the Bangladesh government, particularly the Education Ministry and the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), to reconsider this decision and call for a revision of the narrative to address any identified inconsistencies while preserving the essence of the story.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Urges Immediate Release of Arrested Two Homosexual Youths in Chuadanga

Paris, France; June 28, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned over the recent arrest of two homosexual youths, Enayet Ullah and Sabuj Hossain, on charges of same-sex marriage by the Jibannagar police in Chuadanga on June 22, 2024. The France-based rights organization demands the immediate release of both youths, the dropping of all charges against them, and calls for steps to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.

According to news published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, JMBF has learned that on June 22, 2024, Saturday, at 12:30 pm, Enayet Ullah (25) and Sabuj Hossain (24) were arrested by the Jibannagar police on charges of same-sex marriage from Hariharnagar in the border union of Jibannagar upazila, Chuadanga. Enayet Ullah is the son of Abdul Majid of Harihannagar village, and Sabuj Hossain is the son of Alauddin of Kushadanga village of Swaruppur union in the neighboring Maheshpur upazila under Jhenaidah district.

JMBF Founder Shahanur Presents Paper on LGBTQI+ Challenges in Bangladesh in Vienna, Austria

Advocate Shahanur Islam, the founder of the Justice Makers Bangladesh Foundation (JMBF), presented a pivotal paper titled "Mapping LGBTQI+ Challenges in Bangladesh: A Media Analysis 2023" at the 6th World Conference on Social Sciences Studies (#3SCONF). The conference, held from June 20-22, 2024, in Vienna, Austria, brought together leading scholars, activists, and practitioners to discuss pressing social science issues.

Islam’s presentation highlighted the systematic monitoring and analysis of media portrayals and coverage of LGBTQI+ issues in Bangladesh throughout 2023. The paper underscored the significant challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community in a socio-political landscape marked by conservative attitudes and legal constraints.

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 Attends International Conference on Combatting LGBTphobia in Paris

Paris, May 18, 2024- On May 17, 2024, the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs hosted a significant conference dedicated to advancing the rights and protections for LGBT+ individuals globally. The International Day Against LGBTphobia conference, held at the Quai d’Orsay, attracted a diverse array of human rights advocates and legal experts who addressed the urgent need for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality.

Among the notable attendees was Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder and President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). Islam, a prominent figure in the fight for LGBT+ rights in Bangladesh, contributed significantly to the discussions at the conference.

PRESS RELEASE: JMBF Releases Groundbreaking Annual State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023

Paris, France - May 17, 2024 - JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) proudly announces the release of the "Annual Report on the State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023," coinciding with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing global struggle for LGBTQI+ rights and underscores the importance of collective action in combating discrimination and prejudice.

This report, following the groundbreaking inaugural edition in 2022, represents a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and advancements in LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh. It acknowledges that the documented incidents may not fully represent the actual number and types of abuses against LGBT individuals in Bangladesh, as many incidents go unreported due to social stigma and unacceptability.

Compiled by JMBF through rigorous monitoring of news media and analysis, the report covers developments in LGBTQI+ rights from January to December 2023. It provides a detailed examination of the legal, social, and cultural landscape impacting LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges.

Bangladesh: JMBF and SIL Express Strong Concern Over the Recent Arrest of Two Lesbian Individuals in Tangail

Paris, France; April 30, 2024: France-based rights organizations JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and Solidarity International LGBTQI (SIL) jointly express profound concern and outrage over the recent arrest of two lesbian individuals from Tangail, Bangladesh, on April 21, 2024, due to their sexual orientation and same-sex relationship.

JMBF and SIL believe the arrest of the two lesbian women, who wished to marry, is a grave violation of their fundamental human rights and dignity as declared in the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Can we evade accountability for the death of transgender model Radia Teherin Utsha?

On Monday, April 22, 2024, 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.

The recent suicides of transgender individuals in Bangladesh, including Radia Tehrin Uthso who tragically took her own life, serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for societal change. These heartbreaking losses highlight the profound challenges faced by transgender people in our country, challenges that demand immediate attention and decisive action from all sectors of society.

The young woman was seriously injured after leaping from the female hostel located at Mahua Manzil, Mirpur-10. Despite efforts to save her, Radia succumbed to her injuries at the emergency department of Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital. It has been revealed that Radia had been concealing her transgender identity during her six-month stay at the hostel.

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 Condemns Detention of Lesbian Couple in Bagerhat, Bangladesh

Paris, France; March 16, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expressed profound concern regarding the recent detention of a married lesbian couple by the Mongla police station in Bargethat. The detention followed a homophobic local public protest against the couple's expression of their sexual orientation and their marriage on April 13, 2024.

The France-based rights organization is deeply troubled by the police's actions in detaining the couple for 24 hours solely because of their decision to marry as a same-sex couple. JMBF views this incident as a blatant violation of the couple's constitutional rights and their dignity.

JMBF and SIL Join Forces at Salon De Association LGBT+ in Paris, France

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and Solidarity International LGBTQI (SIL) recently collaborated to participate in the Salon De Association LGBT+ organized by the Inter LGBT in Paris, France, on April 7 and 8, 2024.

Representatives including Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF, Robert Simon, President of SIL, WHITNEY ANTHONY, and Hervé CALDO, Board member of SIL, were present at the event on behalf of their respective organizations amongst others.

The highlight of their joint participation was the establishment of an information booth, where JMBF and SIL showcased an array of educational materials, informational resources, and communication tools. This booth served as a hub for engaging with attendees, disseminating crucial information, and fostering dialogue on LGBTQI rights, activism, and advocacy efforts.

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: JMBF Condemns Brutal Murder of Transgender Reshma Khatun, Calls for Swift Action and Legal Reforms

Paris, France; April 03, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over the brutal murder of Reshma Khatun (25), a third-gender individual, whose decomposed body was discovered in March 2024 in the Kagajpukur graveyard of Benapole Port Police Station in Jessore, Bangladesh.

The France-based rights organization calls for the swift identification and apprehension of those responsible for this heinous act through a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation, followed by exemplary punishment after a fair trial.

According to news published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, it has been learned that the police recovered the decomposed body of Reshma Khatun (25), a third gender individual, from the Kagajpukur graveyard of Benapole Port Police Station in Jessore.

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.

Transgender Individual committed Suicide in Nabinagar, Brahmanbaria Due to Mental Stress

On March 25, 2024, Saidul Islam Nayan (26) committed suicide by hanging himself in Darra village of Nabinagar upazila, Brahmanbaria. Nayan was the eldest of three sons of Md. Shariful Islam and Nargis Akhtar from Darra village in the Rasullabad union. It is known that he had been in Saudi Arabia for a long time.

According to family sources, although Nayan was biologically male, his behavior was akin to that of the third gender. Hijras are often ridiculed by locals for their affinity and feminine nature. Locals believe that he may have committed suicide due to social bullying and the inferiority complex associated with being a hijra. The Acting Police Inspector (OC) of Nabinagar Police Station stated that more details will be provided after the investigation.

STATEMENT: JMBF is gravely concerned about the detention of four lesbian girls in Manikganj and Natore by the homophobic public.

Paris, France; March 20, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned and aggrieved about the recent detention of four lesbian girls in Manikganj and Natore districts by the homophobic public, respectively on March 09 and February 23, 2024, due to expressing their sexual orientation and willingness to get married.

The France-based rights organization, JMBF, considers their detention and handing over to the police by the homophobic public, due to the expression of same-sex relationships and willingness to get married, clear violations of their fundamental human rights and dignity.

JMBF urges the concerned authorities to take immediate action against those homophobic individuals involved in such heinous incidents of interfering with personal lives and privacy.

According to reports from various online newspapers in Bangladesh, on March 9, 2023, two lesbian women were detained by local residents in Singair, under the Manikganj district.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arrest of Two Lesbian Girls in Satkhira

Paris, France; March 12, 2024: The France-based rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and outrage over the recent arrest of two lesbian individuals from Satkhira on January 04, 2024. These arrests, which occurred solely based on the girls' sexual orientation and their same-sex relationship, are a grave violation of their rights and dignity.

According to reports from various online newspapers in Bangladesh, the two lesbian teenagers were apprehended from the Brajabaksa area of Helatla Union in Kalaroa Upazila on January 4, 2024, by the members of the Kalaroa Police Station. One of the arrested girls is Mahima Khatun (17), daughter of Abdul Mannan from Idanpur village in the Doara Bazar police station of Sunamganj district, and the other is Rubina Khatun (18), daughter of Anisur Rahman from Brajbaksa village in Helatla Union of Kalaroa Upazila in Satkhira.