Human Rights Lawyer Shahanur Islam Joins Hands with ARDHIS for Bangladeshi LGBTQI Asylum Seekers in France

On March 22, 2023, Shahanur Islam, a human rights lawyer from Bangladesh and the founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, met with Mr. Eric Lejeune from the Association for the Recognition of the Rights of Homosexual and Trans People to Immigration and Residence (ARDHIS) at the SPACE office in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the present situation of LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh and seek cooperation to improve the rights of sexual minorities in the country.

During the meeting, Mr. Islam highlighted the numerous challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh, including physical assault, murder, threats, rape, sexual abuse, bullying, discrimination, social stigma, and psychological abuse. He also noted that these incidents often go unreported due to stigma and intolerance from families, society, and the state. Additionally, existing discriminatory laws criminalize same-sex activities and can lead to life imprisonment.

French President Hosts Reception for Human Rights Defenders at Élysée Palace

Photo pose with president after reception at Elysee

On Friday, March 17th, 2023, the President of the Republic of France, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, hosted a reception at the Élysée Palace in Paris for fourteen human rights defenders from around the world. Prominent human rights lawyer and founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, Mr. Shahanur Islam, was one of them.

Mr. Islam was invited to speak as a laureate of the 2023 Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders, which aims to support human rights defenders globally. The winners of the 2023 Marianne Initiative come from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Colombia, Iran, Mali, Uganda, Peru, Russia, El Salvador, Syria, and Venezuela, representing all continents.

UN Special Rapporteurs Express Deep Concern Over Harassment and Threats Against Bangladeshi Lawyer Shahanur Islam

In a joint communication issued on January 17, 2023, two United Nations Special Rapporteurs have raised serious concerns about the harassment and death threats faced by prominent Bangladeshi lawyer, Shahanur Islam. The communication, addressed to the Government of Bangladesh, calls for immediate action to protect Mr. Islam and ensure the safety of his family.

Margaret Satterthwaite, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, and Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, have issued this communication in response to information they received regarding the alarming situation surrounding Mr. Shahanur Islam.

New Platform to Fight Discrimination Against LGBTQI+ Community in Bangladesh

On March 16, 2023, Shahanur Islam, a human rights defender and lawyer from Bangladesh and also the founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, had an official bilateral meeting with Mr. Jean-Marc Berthon, the Ambassador for LGBT+ Rights of France, at his office in Paris."

During the meeting, Mr. Islam brought attention to the current human rights situation faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in Bangladesh. He highlighted the challenges and difficulties they face in their daily lives, including discrimination, violence, and criminalization.

Human Rights Advocates Meet with French Ambassador to the Council of Europe

On March 13, 2023, Shahanur Islam, a prominent human rights defender, met with Ms. Marie Fontanel, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the Council of Europe, at her residence in Strasbourg, France. 

Islam was among 13 laureates of the Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders 2023, who were invited to attend an exchange of views meeting regarding the current human rights situation in their respective countries. 

Bangladesh Needs to Make Further Progress Towards Gender Equality

Advocate Shahanur Islam

On 8th March “International Women's Day” is a global day of celebration and advocacy. Today, the world, including Bangladesh is celebrating International Women's Day, with this year's theme of "innovation and technology for gender equality".

Women's rights organizations, government bodies, civil society groups, trade unions, and NGOs all over the world are holding events to celebrate the day. International Women's Day is an annual occasion that recognizes women's achievements in the social, economic, cultural, and political spheres.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh calls for justice and protection for religious minorities in Bangladesh

Human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh has condemned the recent attack on the Ahmadiyya community in Panchagarh district, northern Bangladesh, which left at least two dead and 100 injured on March 03, 2023. 

In a statement signed by the founder secretary-general of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, prominent human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam, the group called for justice and accountability for the victims, as well as an end to the persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh expresses concern over killing of transgender women in Gazipur

JusticeMakers Bangladesh, a renowned human rights organisation, has expressed grave concern over the recent stabbing of a transgender person in Gazipur on 19 February early morning.

In a statement released on 05 March 2023, the rights organisation condemned the brutal killing of Abdul Khalek and called for immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Human Rights Lawyer Shahanur Islam Presents State of Human Rights in Bangladesh at France

Renowned Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, Shahanur Islam, attended a project presentation event at the conference hall of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in France on 03 March 2023.

Moderated by Ms. Delphine Borione, the Ambassador at large for Human Rights Ambassador in France, Shahanur Islam presented the state of human rights in Bangladesh, his journey as a human rights defender, and his project with the Marianne Initiative for human rights defenders in France.

French Human Rights Ambassador Honours Human Rights Defenders at Paris

On 28th February 2023, Delphine Borione, the Human Rights Ambassador of France, hosted a dinner at her residence in Paris, inviting prominent human rights defenders from around the world. The aim of the event was to discuss pressing human rights issues and to honor those who have been working tirelessly to promote and protect human rights in their respective countries.

Amongst the 12 human rights defenders invited to the dinner was Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi lawyer and human rights activist and founder secretary general of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, who has been actively advocating for human rights in his country. Shahanur Islam has been known for his dedication and commitment towards the promotion and protection of human rights, especially in the areas of freedom of expression, gender equality, and the rights of minorities including LGBTQI.

Statement: JusticeMakers Bangladesh is gravely concerned over sexual harassment on a student of Islamic University, Kustia.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh is deeply concerned over the recent incident of sexual harassment, physical and psychological torture and death threats on a first year student of Islamic University, Kustia in Bangladesh led by Sanjida Chowdhury, Vice President of Bangladesh Student League, student wing of ruling party Bangladesh Awami League, Islamic University branch on 12 February late night to 13 February early morning, 2023.

Simultaneously, JusticeMakers Bangladesh urged the concerned authority to form a judicial probe committee to find out the alleged culprit, aiming to bring them before the book conducting a quick and impartial investigation.

Statement: JusticeMakers Bangladesh is deeply concerned over the banning of Prity's book, "Jonmo O Jonir Itihas".

JusticeMakers Bangladesh has expressed grave concern over the banning of Jannatun Nayeem Prity's autobiography 'Jonmo O Jonir Itihas' at the Ekushey Book Fair, Dhaka.

The rights organization has also demanded that authorities immediately lift the ban and allow the book to be available to readers.

According to news publish on different newspaper and information received from reliable source that the Amar Ekushey Boi Mela taskforce has banned Jannatun Nayeem Prity's autobiography Jonmo o Jonir Itihash from the ongoing book fair showed causing various controversial issues, including personal attacks and objectionable comments on judges written in the book, which are against the rules of the book fair.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh deeply concerned over the vandalism of idols of fourteen temples in Thakurgaon!

The Bangladeshi human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh has expressed deep concern, condemnation and protest over the vandalism of idols of 14 Hindu temples in three unions of Baliadangi Upazila of Thakurgaon district.

At the same time, JusticeMakers Bangladesh has called upon to give the exemplary punishment to the alleged accused in a fair trial after  identify those responsible before an impartial investigation by the formation of a judicial prob committee.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh deeply concern over the threat of crossfire to the lawyer Aminul Gani Tito in Dhaka.

Human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh has expressed deep concern over the threat of cross fire to Dhaka Lawyers Association senior advocate Aminul Goni Titu in the court premises for performing his professional duties.

At the same time, Justice Makers Bangladesh has called for a judicial equery committee headed by a justice of the High Court to identify the responsible police officer and take appropriate measures under the departmental and criminal law.

STATEMENT: JusticeMakers Bangladesh gravely concerns over the attacked on CEO of BELA

The Bangladeshi human rights organisation ,JusticeMakers Bangladesh gravely concerns over the incident of attacks on environmental lawyer and chief executive officer of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyer Association (BELA), Syeda Rizwana Hasan and her team at Chittagong on 26 January 2023.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh simultaneously called the government for arrest the all accuseds and ensure the exemplary punishment to the culprits after quick and impartial investigation and trail.

Statement: JusticeMakers Bangladesh gravely concerns over the disappearance of lawyer in Dhaka.

The Bangladeshi human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh has expressed deep concern over the incident of disappearance of a lawyer for seven days in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. 

At the same time, human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh called the government for rescue and hand over the missing lawyer to his family immediately.

STATEMENT: JusticeMakers Bangladesh Urges Immidiate Release of Arrested Transgenders in Dhaka

The Bangladeshi human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh has expressed its grave concern about the arrest of four transgender women from a wedding ceremony in Dhaka on 17 January 2023.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh has also urged the concerned authority to immediately release arrested transgenders as well as drop the charge brought against them.