JusticeMakers Bangladesh Founder President Advocates for LGBTI Rights at HELP International Conference

In a groundbreaking event organized by the Council of Europe's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression (SOGI) unit, the Help international course launch and conference on LGBTI persons in the asylum procedure took place on December 4, 2023, at the Council of Europe premises in Strasbourg, France. Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh (JMBF), was in attendance, emphasizing the organization's commitment to promoting justice and human rights for all.

The conference featured esteemed speakers such as Thorsten Afflerbach, Head of Division, Inclusion and Anti-Discrimination Programmes at the Council of Europe, Jeroen Schokkenbroek, Director of the Directorate of Anti-Discrimination, and Leyla Kayacik, Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe for Migration and Refugees. Other notable participants included Andreas Wissner, UNHCR Representative to the European Institutions in Strasbourg, and Eva Pastrana, Head of the HELP Programme at the Council of Europe.

Statement: JMBF expresses deep concern about the restriction of a transgender woman from participating in the Women's Career Carnival as a speaker at North South University.

Paris, France; November 26, 2023: The France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), has expressed profound concern and protest over the cancellation of the scheduled session featuring Bangladeshi transgender woman Ho Chi Minh Islam as a speaker at the Women's Career Carnival. The cancellation was reportedly influenced by pressure from conservative student groups at North South University. JMBF believes that the discriminatory treatment of Ho Chi Minh Islam, solely because she is a transgender woman, is a blatant violation of Bangladesh's Supreme Law Constitution and the universal human rights declared by the United Nations.

Based on various reliable sources, JMBF has learned that on November 24-25, 2023, two organizations, Heroes for All and ISOSHAL, organized the Women's Career Carnival at the North South University campus. The event aimed to empower women through networking, learning, and professional development. Transgender woman and rights activist Ho Chi Minh Islam was scheduled to participate as a speaker in a session on the afternoon of November 24. Her speech was intended to address the inclusion of marginalized communities in the workforce and the creation of an inclusive environment for their work.

Statement: JMBF Urges Justice for the Killing of Homosexual Butcher Khairul Islam in Dhaka

Paris, France; November 20, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses grave concern over the recent tragic and heinous murder of Khairul Islam, a gay butcher at Dakkhinkhan in Dhaka on the night of November 12, 2023.

The rights organization urges the government to give exemplary punishment to the alleged culprit through a prompt and fair trial. Additionally, they call for immediate measures to protect members of the LGBT community, preventing similar incidents in the future.

According to reports from various Bangladeshi news media, police recovered Butcher Khairul's bloodied body wrapped in a blanket from his shop in Dakshinkhan police station in Dhaka on the night of September 12, 2023. One wound was found on his nose, and three sharp weapon wounds were discovered on his neck. Initially, investigators had no leads, but later, individuals were arrested on suspicion. During intensive interrogation, Shahidul Islam, a butcher from a nearby shop, admitted that he worked at Judge Mia's meat shop in Adam Ali Market. Every day, after selling meat, he went home to Bereid. However, on the day of the incident, Khairul asked him to sleep in his shop, "Afsal Gost Bitan." Shahidul agreed, and around 11 o'clock, Khairul allegedly attempted a homosexual advance. Shahidul, angered by this, hit Khairul's face with a meat cutter chapati from Khairul's butcher's box, causing him to fall. Shahidul then struck Khairul's right-side neck more than three times to ensure his death. After confirming the victim's death, he wiped the body with a blanket, placed it in a box, covered Khairul with another blanket, and fled the scene.

JMBF Founder Shahanur Islam Addresses at Seminar on Asylum Process in France

Paris,France; November 19, 2023: In a compelling seminar organized by Solidarities Asie France (SAF) in Paris on November 18, 2023, Bangladeshi Human Rights Lawyer and Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, Advocate Shahanur Islam, took center stage to shed light on reasons compelling Bangladeshi citizens to leave their homeland for Europe, particularly France, and seek asylum. The event drew the participation of around 40 Bangladeshi asylum seekers at various stages of their application.

The seminar, aimed at providing valuable insights into the asylum procedures at different stages, featured notable speakers, including France Lawyer Mr. Akash Helal, Paris Youth Councillor Nayan NK, and Researcher Gaktane Lamarche Vadel.

JMBF Calls for an End to Border Shootings by BSF on the Indo-Bangla Border

Paris, France; November 14, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern regarding the tragic death of Samirul Haque, a 16-year-old Bangladeshi, due to gunfire by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Godagari border in the Rajshahi district on November 09, 2023.

The human rights organization based in France, JMBF, strongly condemns the killing of Samirul Haque and calls for a halt to all border killings by the BSF, in compliance with international laws and principles.

As reported by various Bangladeshi newspapers, on November 9th at noon, Samirul Haque, son of Hasibul Islam from Barinagar village, was fatally shot by the BSF at the Godagari border in Rajshahi. The incident occurred at the Diyar Manikchak border of Charashariadah union in the Godagari upazila of Rajshahi district.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Participates Paris Peace Forum 2023 in France

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) proudly participated in the prestigious Paris Peace Forum 2023, marking the 6th edition of this international gathering held at the historic Palais Brongniart in the heart of Paris, France, from November 10th to 11th, 2023.

Mr. Moynuddin Khan, Treasurer of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France, attends as one of the esteemed delegates at Paris Peace Forum 2023. JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) emphasized the importance of facilitating dialogue, creating action-oriented coalitions, and defining norms to provide efficient responses to the pressing challenges of our time.

ReportOUT and JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France Collaborate to Study LGBTQI Issues in Bangladesh

In a landmark move, ReportOUT, a UK-based human rights research organization, partners with JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) to delve into the realities of sexual and gender minorities in Bangladesh.

In a groundbreaking collaboration for human rights advocacy, two internationally recognized organizations, ReportOUT from the United Kingdom and JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), have officially sealed a Memorandum of Understanding. The agreement, inked in October 2023, is poised to undertake an extensive study focusing on the LGBTQI community in Bangladesh.

Representatives Drew Dalton, Chair, and Founder, alongside Phil Thomas, Lead Trustee of Human Rights Research, represented ReportOUT. On the other side, Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), stood as the face of the Memorandum of Understanding.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Participates in the World Democracy Forum 2023 in Strasbourg, France

Paris, France; November 8, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) proudly participated in the prestigious World Democracy Forum 2023, which took place in Trausbourg, France, from November 6th to 8th. The forum was organized by the Council of Europe in collaboration with the Strasbourg City Council, the European Collectivity of Alsace, the Grand Est Region, and the French Government.

Madame Tanne Bithi Sarder, Vice President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), was among the distinguished participants who convened at this international forum.

Statement: JMBF Calls for Justice for the Death of Nurul Islam Due to Alleged Police Torture in Narayangan

Paris, France; October 7, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is deeply concerned and outraged over the tragic death of Nurul Islam (55), a poultry businessman, due to alleged torture by plainclothes policemen following their raid on his home in Sonargaon, Narayanganj on November 6, 2023.

JMBF urges the formation of an inquiry committee, led by a judicial magistrate, to investigate this incident, ensuring the highest levels of integrity and transparency in the proceedings. JMBF also calls for exemplary punishment for the alleged culprits through a fair and transparent trial under the Prohibition of Torture and Death in Custody Law 2013.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Outrage over Arbitrary Arrests and Police Brutality against Pro BNP-Jamaat Lawyers in Bangladesh.

Paris, France: November 4, 2023 - JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) deeply expresses concern and outrage over the arbitrary arrests, fabrication of false cases, and the occurrence of police brutality against lawyers associated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh during peaceful demonstrations and protests in Dhaka and Faridpur.

France-based human rights organization, JMBF, calls for the identification of the accused through an impartial investigation led by a High Court Judge and the immediate, unconditional release of the arrested lawyers, along with the dropping of all charges against them.

Statement: JMBF Demands an End to All Killings by BSF at the Indo-Bangla Border

Paris, France; November 01, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern regarding the killing of a Bangladeshi citizen, Ainul Haque (32), due to gunfire by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Tetulia border in the Panchagarh district on the early morning of November 01, 2023.

The France-based human rights organization, JMBF, strongly condemns the killing of Ainul Haque and urges an end to all kinds of killings at the Indo-Bangla border by BSF, in accordance with international laws and principles.

Statement: JMBF Once Again Calls for Removal of Death Penalty Provision in Ansar Battalion Act, 2023

Paris, France; October 25, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), an independent, non-partisan, non-profit human rights organization based in France, expresses deep concern regarding the placement of the Ansar Battalion Act, 2023, with the inclusion of the death penalty provision in the National Parliament of Bangladesh on October 23, 2023. This proposed law imposes the death penalty as the maximum punishment for various offenses, including mutiny and provocation for rebellion.

Statement: JMBF Demands Prompt Justice for Murder of Self-Identified Transgender Drummer in Bangladesh

Paris, France; October 22, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, is deeply concerned about the brutal murder of Babul Mridha (60), a drummer in a transgender Hijra group, in Naria upazila under the Shariyatpur district in Bangladesh.

JMBF demands that the perpetrators be brought to justice under the law by identifying and apprehending those responsible for this heinous act through a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation and trial.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern over BSF's Fatal Shooting of Bangladeshi Citizen at Tetulia Border, Panchagarh

Paris, France; October 20, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a human rights organization based in France, expresses profound concern regarding the tragic incident of killing a Bangladeshi citizen, Mr. Akkas Ali (35), due to gunfire by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Tetulia border in the Panchagarh district.

JMBF vehemently condemns the killing of Bangladeshi citizen Akkas Ali and urgently calls upon the BSF to cease all instances of border shootings during their duty, aligning with international laws and principles.

Statement: JMBF Gravely Concerns over BSF’s Killing of Bangladeshi Child at Moulovibazar Border

Paris, France; October 16, 2023: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), is deeply concerned about the killing of a Bangladeshi child, Ferdaus Ahmed (14), by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Lalarchak border in Kulaura Upazila of Moulovibazar district.

JMBF strongly condemns the incident of killing a child and calls for the BSF to stop all kinds of border killings while carrying out their duties in accordance with international law and principles immediately.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Protests against the Arrest of a Hindu Woman in Bagerhat on Allegations of Insulting the Islamic religion

Paris, France; October 7, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and strong protest regarding the arrest of a Hindu minority woman on allegations of insulting the Islamic religion in Bagerhat, Bangladesh, on September 26, 2023. The human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), also calls for the immediate release of the arrested woman and the withdrawal of the false charges filed against her.

According to reliable sources, on September 24, 2023, in the Ramphal Union of Bagerhat district, a 45-year-old Hindu minority woman named Rupali Das was involved in a verbal altercation with an Islamic woman named Momena Begum when she went to fetch water at a tube well. Momena Begum, with malicious intent, accused Rupali Das of insulting Islam by using offensive language.

Statement: JMBF Calls for Justice and Accountability for the Death of Habibur Rahman due to torture in Police Custody in Bogura

Paris, France; October 06, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses its deepest concern and outrage over the tragic death of Habibur Rahman Habib due to torture in police custody in Bogura, Bangladesh, on October 3, 2023.

JMBF states that Habib's death in police custody has cast a dark shadow on the state of human rights and the rule of law in the country. It calls for the formation of an inquiry committee to investigate this incident, led by a judicial magistrate, to ensure the highest levels of integrity and transparency in the proceedings.

Multiple news sources reported that Habibur Rahman Habib, a lawyer’s assistant to the Bogura Judge Court, suffered torture during his time in police custody and was taken to the hospital only after he had passed away. He was taken from the court premises in the afternoon of October 3, around 5:45 pm, without a warrant or any FIR, and subjected to alleged torture at the DB police office, ultimately leading to his untimely demise.