JMBF Publishes Comprehensive Annual Report on Violence Against Lawyers in Bangladesh for 2022

Paris, France, August 10, 2023:  A shocking and distressing trend of violence against lawyers in Bangladesh has been unveiled by the recently published comprehensive annual report by JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). The report, covering the period from January to December 2022, paints a grim picture of the challenges faced by legal professionals in the country and calls for urgent action to address the alarming situation.

The report, published in Paris, France on August 10, 2023, is a groundbreaking endeavor that sheds light on the disconcerting incidents of violence targeting lawyers in Bangladesh. It is a meticulous documentation of incidents that includes physical attacks, assault, beatings, murder, rape, kidnappings, fabrication of cases, arrests, threats, intimidation, attempted murder, and judicial harassment.

STATEMENT: JMBF expressed deep concern over the destruction of idols of four Hindu temples in Shariyatpur!

Paris, France: 23th July 2023: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), has expressed deep concern and condemnation regarding the attack and vandalism of idols at four temples in Chaikhgaon, Mahisar, and Rambhadrapur villages of Vedarganj Upazila in Shariatpur.

PRESS STATEMENT:JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Condemns the Tragic Demise of Bangladeshi Lawyer Lutful Kabir

[Paris, France: 21st July 2023] JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the untimely and tragic demise of lawyer Mr. Lutful Kabir Nowroz, whose lifeless body was found in a pond in Khulna's Batiaghata upazila on Sunday evening, 16th July 2023.

Lutful Kabir Nowroz, 58, served as the Public Prosecutor (PP) of the Anti-Corruption Special Tribunal in Khulna, southern Bangladesh, dedicating his life to upholding justice and fighting against corruption. His sudden disappearance and subsequent discovery in the pond have shocked the entire legal community and brought immense sorrow to all those who knew and worked with him.

UN Special Rapporteur Expresses Concern over the situation of Bangladeshi Human Rights Lawyer Shahanur Islam

United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders took to social media to voice his concerns about the distressing situation faced by human rights lawyer and defender Shahanur Islam in Bangladesh. On 13th July 2023, the Special Rapporteur's status, posted on both Facebook and Twitter, highlighted the online harassment faced by Islam as a form of retaliation for his dedicated work in advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in the country. Moreover, it was revealed that the local police had made attempts to gather information about Islam and his family.

European Lawyers Demand Protection for Bangladeshi Lawyer Shahanur Islam from Continuous Threats and Harassment

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), representing the bars and law societies of 46 countries and over 1 million European lawyers, has taken a firm stance against the continuous threats and harassment faced by lawyer Shahanur Islam and his family in Bangladesh. On July 7, 2023, the CCBE sent a letter to the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, addressing the grave concerns surrounding the safety of Shahanur Islam.

PRESS STATEMENT: Justicemakers Bangladesh Condemns Torture of Apprentice Lawyer Runa Laila in Dhaka's Kashimpur Jail

Justicemakers Bangladesh, a human rights organization, expresses deep concern and anger over the physical and mental torture endured by apprentice lawyer Runa Laila in Dhaka's Kashimpur prison. The torture was carried out by an expelled leader of the Jubo Mahila League, an organ of the ruling government party, with the active participation and support of the prison staff on June 19.

European Legal Council Urges Bangladesh Prime Minister to Protect Human Rights Lawyer Shahanur Islam

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), representing more than a million lawyers across 46 European countries, has issued an urgent plea to Her Excellency, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh. In a letter dated July 7, 2023, CCBE expressed deep concern regarding the ongoing threats and harassment faced by human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam and his family.

Shahanur Islam is a well-respected figure in the legal and human rights community, known for his unwavering dedication to advocating for marginalized groups, including ethnic, religious, political, and sexual minorities in Bangladesh. His work spans a wide range of issues, including the defense of LGBTQI+ rights and representation of individuals subjected to torture, extrajudicial killings, and forced disappearances.

Press Release: JusticeMakers Bangladesh Strongly Condemns and Demands Justice for the Death of Buddhist Monk Dharmajyoti

JusticeMakers Bangladesh, a leading human rights organization in Bangladesh, expresses deep concern, condemnation, and protest over the tragic death of Buddhist monk Dharmajyoti in a heinous attack carried out by unidentified miscreants in Ukhia, Cox's Bazar. This incident represents a gross violation of human rights and poses a direct threat to the fundamental liberties of citizens from all religious backgrounds in Bangladesh.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh Quarterly eNewsletter (Apr-Jun 2023)

We are delighted to present the second issue of the JusticeMakers Bangladesh (JMBD) quaterly enewsletter, covering the period from April to June 2023. This edition marks a significant milestone for JMBD as we officially establish the committee for our French affiliate, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). We are proud to announce that we have submitted the necessary documentation for registration in France under Association Law 1901.

Islamic Group Calls for Ban of Human Rights Activist and Lawyer Shahanur Islam, Alleging Western Agenda to Promote Homosexuality in Bangladesh

A Facebook user named "Mon Dey" has called for the ban of human rights activist and lawyer Shahanur Islam in Bangladesh, alleging that he is implementing a Western agenda to establish and legitimize the homosexual agenda in the country.

At the same time, he urges the necessary steps to ban Justice Makers Bangladesh, an organization founded by Shahanur Islam.

বাংলাদেশী মানবাধিকার আইনজীবী শাহানূর ইসলাম ও তাঁর প্রতিষ্টান জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশকে নিষিদ্ধের দাবী

বাংলাদেশে সমকামী এজেন্ডা প্রতিষ্ঠিত ও বৈধ করার  পশ্চিমা এজেণ্ডা বাস্তবায়ন করার অভিযোগে মানবাধিকারকর্মী ও আইনজীবী শাহানূর ইসলামকে বাংলাদেশে নিষিদ্ধের দাবি করেছে এক ফেইসবুক গ্রুপ।

একই সাথে শাহানূর ইসলাম'র প্রতিষ্ঠিত মানবাধিকার সংস্থা জাস্টিসমেকার্স  বাংলাদেশও নিশিদ্ধ করতে প্রয়োজনীয় পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণের জোড় আহ্বান জানিয়েছেন গ্রুপটি।

Critical Analysis of Violence Against LGBT People in Bangladesh 2022

Shahanur Islam, a prominent human rights lawyer from Bangladesh, delivered a compelling presentation at the "Safer-to-Be-Me" International Symposium held at Sunderland University in England. The symposium, jointly organized on June 22 by the international human rights organization Report Out International and the University of Sunderland, aimed to address the pressing issue of violence against LGBT people.

The event brought together a diverse group of experts and scholars to discuss the challenges faced by the LGBT community and explore potential solutions. Participants included Sarah Ellis, a senior lecturer at Sunderland University, Simon Fox, a public health specialist, Gabrielle Gucci and Damien Berger, gender and sexual minority specialists, Sarah Connolly, a social science lecturer at Sunderland University, Matthew Waits, a reader at the University of Glasgow, Dr. Felicity Daly, a visiting research fellow at the University of London, and Philip R. Crehan.

জেনেভায় মানবাধিকার সংলাপে বাংলাদেশী আইনজীবীর অংশগ্রহণ

জাতিসংঘ মানবাধিকার হাইকমিশন কার্যালয়ে অনুষ্ঠিত মানবাধিকার বিষয়ক সংলাপে বাংলাদেশি মানবাধিকার আইনজীবী শাহানূর ইসলাম অংশগ্রহণ করেন।

৯ জুন (শুক্রবার) সুইজারল্যাণ্ডের জেনেভায় অবস্থিত জাতিসংঘ মানবাধিকার হাই কমিশনের সদর দপ্তর উইলসন প্যালেসে তিন ঘন্টাব্যাপী সংলাপটি অনুষ্ঠিত হয়।

Bangladeshi Human Rights Activist Holds Meeting with Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights in Strasbourg

Advocate Shahanur Islam, a prominent Bangladeshi human rights activist, recently engaged in a productive meeting with Madam Dunja Mijatovic, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe. The multilateral discussion took place today at the European Council building in Strasbourg, France.

During the meeting, Madam Dunja Mijatovic provided a comprehensive overview of the activities conducted by the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of European. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange insights and strategies related to the promotion and protection of human rights globally.

ফ্রান্সে বসবাসত বাংলাদেশী রাজনৈতিক আশ্রয়প্রার্থী ও শরনার্থীদের সার্বিক উন্নয়নে কাজ করতে আগ্রহী ফ্রান্স –তেরে-এজাইল।

শরনার্থীদের অধিকার নিয়ে কাজ করা ফ্রান্সের অন্যতম বৃহৎ অলাভজনক সংস্থা ফ্রান্স –তেরে-এজাইল (এফটিএ) এবং প্রস্তাবিত মানবাধিকার সংগঠন জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ) ফ্রান্সে বসবাসরত বাংলাদেশী রাজনৈতিক আশ্রয়প্রার্থী ও শরনার্থীদের অধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠা ও জীবন মান উন্নয়নে একযোগে কাজ করতে সম্মত হয়েছে।

Press Statement: JusticeMakers Bangladesh Demands Immediate Release of Lawyer Kazi Rubayet Hasan Sayem

JusticeMakers Bangladesh, a prominent human rights organization, expresses deep concern and condemns the arrest of lawyer Kazi Rubayet Hasan Sayem under the draconian Digital Security Act 2018. The organization strongly urges the immediate release of Mr. Sayem and calls for the withdrawal of the fabricated charges against him without any preconditions.

According to information received from various news media, the victim's family, and reliable sources, it has been learned that Kazi Rubayet Hasan Sayem, a 46-year-old member of the Dhaka District Bar Association and former co-organizing secretary of Narayanganj Metropolitan BNP, was arrested on the night of March 24th, around 10 pm. He was apprehended by the Narayanganj District Detective Police (DB) on charges of using offensive language to abuse the mother of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the Father of the Nation of Bangladesh.

Shahanur Islam addresses European lawyers on current human rights situation in Bangladesh

ব্রাসেলস এ বাংলাদেশের মানবাধিকার পরিস্থিতি পর্যালোচনা সভায় প্রধান বক্তা হিসেবে শাহানূর ইসলামের অংশগ্রহণ!

On May 11 (Thursday), a discussion meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium with the participation of European human rights lawyers to review the current human rights situation in Bangladesh.

গত ১১ মে (বৃহস্পতিবার) বাংলাদেশের বর্তমান মানবাধিকার পরিস্থিতি পর্যালোচনায় ইউরোপীয় মানবাধিকার আইনজীবীদের অংশগ্রহনে এক আলোচনা সভা অনুষ্ঠিত হয়।