ISSUE 8 “Defending Human Rights, Fighting for Social Justice, and 31 DEC 2024

Empowering Communities”

Quarterly eNewsletter
(October-December 2024)
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
https://www.jmbf.org

LGBTQI+ RIGHTS VIOLATION

JMBF strongly condemns the

brutal killing of gay teacher Sujan
Ali in Meherpur on the night of
October 6, 2024.[Full Statement
Here]

JMBF strongly condemns the

recent suspension of the principal
of Kurigram Collectorate School
and College, on grounds of sexual
orientation, on August 25, 2024.
[Full Statement Here]

JMBF Founder highlighted human rights violations in

Bangladesh during a brief meeting with the UN High
Commissioner for Human Rights in Paris, France
In celebration of Human Rights Day 2024, Advocate Shahanur Islam,
Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF),
attended a high-profile event at the Hôtel du Ministre, Quai d'Orsay,
Paris, on December 10, 2024. Organized by the Ministry of European and JMBF strongly condemns the
Foreign Affairs, the event brought together leading human rights refraining of a professor from all
advocates, government officials, and international representatives to academic activities at Islamic
address global human rights challenges. The event opened with remarks University, Kushtia, due to sexual
by Isabelle Rome, French Ambassador for Human Rights and former orientation on October 23, 2024.
Minister for Equity, and Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner [Full Statement Here]
for Human Rights, followed by a series of insightful discussions.

Shahanur Islam raised urgent concerns about human rights violations in

Bangladesh under the interim government during a conversation with
Volker Türk, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Mr.
Islam highlighted alarming issues, including the persecution of journalists
and lawyers through arbitrary arrests and fabricated cases, discrimination
and violence against marginalized communities—particularly religious
minorities like Hindus and sexual minorities, including LGBTQI+ JMBF strongly condemns the murder
individuals—and the erosion of freedom of expression. He also of transgender woman Ayub Ali in
condemned the use of torture and extrajudicial killings by law Tangail on October 12, 2024. [Full
enforcement agencies. [Full Report Here] Statement Here]
Page # 1
ISSUE 8 31 DECEMBER 2024

Editorial Note: Dear Friends and Supporters, EXTRA-JUDICIAL KILLING

As the year ends and we prepare to
welcome 2025, I am filled with gratitude
for the progress and milestones we have
achieved together at JusticeMakers
Bangladesh in France (JMBF). In this final
quarterly issue of 2024, spanning October
to December, we reflect on our journey
toward fostering justice and driving
meaningful change in our communities.
Throughout this period, JMBF has worked JMBF expresses grave concern over the
tirelessly to promote fairness, equality, recent deaths of three individuals,
and dignity for all. From impactful allegedly due to torture by police, army,
initiatives to advocating for marginalized voices, every effort is driven by our and joint forces on December 13, 6, and 3,
unwavering belief that justice is not just an ideal—it is a right for everyone. 2024, in Kushtia, Brahmanbaria, and
This issue highlights our advocacy efforts and offers thought-provoking articles on Jessore, respectively. [Full Statement
the challenges our communities face. These achievements are the result of the Here]
dedication of our team, the invaluable support of partners, and the generosity of
individuals like you who share our vision of a just world.
As we step into 2025, let us embrace the new year with hope and determination.
May it bring fresh opportunities, stronger collaborations, and continued progress
toward a more just society. Together, we will inspire hope and build a future where
equity prevails.
Wishing you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Warm regards,
Sign the Petition Right Now to JMBF strongly condemns the alarming
Decriminalise Homosexuality trend of continuous extrajudicial killings
Advocate Shahanur Islam in Bangladesh. under the interim government, including
Editor-in-Chief
Sign Here the recent brutal death of Hridoy Rabidas,
JMBF Quarterly eNewsletter
a member of the marginalized Rabidas
Op-Editorial community, who died in army custody in
Kishoreganj on November 16, 2024. [Full
Are LGBT Teachers Paying the Price for Political Turmoil in Statement Here]
Bangladesh?
In recent months, Bangladesh has witnessed a disturbing rise in violence and
discrimination against LGBT educators, coinciding with the formation of an interim
government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. While the political transition
aimed to usher in stability after the contentious tenure of former Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina, this shift has exposed deep societal fissures and exacerbated
existing vulnerabilities faced by marginalized communities. Link to Full Op-Ed
Here

Would Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu Have Been Arrested If He Had

Remained Silent?
JMBF expresses deep concern and
The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu, a revered Hindu monk and vocal minority outrage over the brutal killing of garment
rights advocate in Bangladesh, has sparked intense debates on justice, dissent, worker Kausar Hossain Khan, who was
and minority rights. Charged with sedition and allegedly desecrating the national
fatally shot by law enforcement agencies
flag during a protest against violence targeting Hindus, Prabhu’s detention raises a
critical question: Would he have faced the same fate had he remained silent about during a demonstration in Dhaka on
the suffering of the Hindu minority? Full Op-Ed Here September 30, 2024. Full Statement Here]

Editorial Board: Donate to Us: Constitution of Bangladesh

Support JMBF in its Article 35 (5): No person shall be
Advocate Shahanur Islam
Mosa. Jannatul Ferdaus mission for equitable subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman,
Tanni Bithi Sarder society by donating today. or degrading punishment or treatment.

Page # 2
ISSUE 8 31 DECEMBER 2024

VIOLENCE AGAINST LAWYERS

JMBF strongly condemns the arbitrary

arrest of lawyer Syed Kabir Hossain Jony
in Jessore on December 22, 2024, for
merely performing his professional duties.
[Full Statement Here]

JMBF Founder President attends IGLYO’s 40th Anniversary Members'

General Assembly 2024 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France
(JMBF), recently joined LGBTQI+ youth advocates from across Europe to
JMBF unequivocally expresses its deep
celebrate the 40th anniversary of the International LGBTQI+ Youth and Student concern and condemnation of the brutal
Organisation (IGLYO). This milestone Members' General Assembly, held from killing of lawyer Saiful Islam, a member of
October 24 to 27, 2024, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, commemorated four decades of the Chattogram District Bar Association
and Assistant Public Prosecutor at the
IGLYO’s dedication to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and empowering Chattogram Court, during the violent
environment for LGBTQI+ youth across Europe and beyond. [Full Report Here] clashes on November 26, 2024.[Full
Statement Here]
INTERNATIONAL ADVOCACY VIOLENCE AGAINST HR DEFENDERS

JMBF welcomes UN High Commissioner

Volker Türk’s visit to Bangladesh from
October 29 to 30, 2024, calling for urgent
action on human rights violations and JMBF strongly condemns the physical
judicial independence.[Full Statement JMBF strongly condemns the attempted assault on lawyer Swapan Krishna Roy
Here] murder case filed against prominent lawyer Chowdhury during the court hearing of
and human rights defender ZI Khan Panna former Minister Amir Hossain in Dhaka on
on October 17, 2024.[Full Statement Here] November 7, 2024. [Full Statement Here]

JMBF calls on EU ambassadors to raise

concerns about gross human rights JMBF condemns the arbitrary arrest and JMBF urgently calls for justice and the
violations in Bangladesh under the inhumane treatment of Barrister Syedul unconditional release of lawyers
present interim government during Haque Sumon and calling for his Mustafizur Rahman and Akram Hossain,
meeting with the Chief Adviser on immediate release on October 22, 2024, in arrested on October 16, 2024, in Dhaka.
December 9, 2024. [Full Statement Here] Dhaka. [Full Statement Here] [Full Statement Here]

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is a Paris-based independent, non-partisan, non-profit human rights
organization registered in France under the association law of 1901, bearing registration no. W931027714, dedicated to
defending human rights, fighting for social justice, and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond.
Page # 3
 ISSUE 8 31 DECEMBER 2024

INDO-BANGLA BORDER KILLING

JMBF strongly condemns the brutal killing

of three Bangladeshi youths at the
Panchbhulot border in Sharsha upazila,
Jessore, on December 18, 2024, allegedly
through torture by the BSF. [Full
Statement Here]

JMBF strongly condemns the killing of a

Bangladeshi citizen by BSF in the early
JMBF President Attends View Exchange Meeting with French Human hours of December 6, 2024, at the
Rights Ambassador Mominpara border in Panchagarh Sadar
Upazila, Panchagarh. [Full Statement
On Tuesday, December 3, 2024, the Founder President of JMBF, Advocate Here]
Shahanur Islam, attended a significant view exchange meeting hosted by Mrs.
POLICE TORTURE
Isabelle Rome, the French Ambassador for Human Rights and responsible for
the duty of remembrance concerning the international dimension of the Shoah
and spoliations. The event took place at the Quai d'Orsay in Paris and gathered
former laureates of the prestigious Marianne Initiative. [Full Report Here]
JMBF News coverage (Bengali)
19/12/24: 07/10/24
‣ ALokito Darpan: সমকািমতা েটর ‣ Dainik Prothom Alo: দলব সিহংসতা
JMBF strongly condemns the brutal torture
অিভ েগ ইিব িশ কেক ‘সাম ক ও গণিপ িনেত হ িনেয় জা সেমকা of teachers from various private colleges in
অ হিত’; এমিবএফ’র িন বাংলােদেশর উ গ Dhaka by the police during a peaceful
‣ BBC: বাংলােদেশ গণিপ িনর ঘটনায় demonstration on October 17, 2024, which
18/12/24: resulted in the assault of 33 teachers,
‣ Dainik Janakantha: ইিব িশ কেক উ র জা স কারস including 11 women.[Full Statement Here]
সমকািমতার অিভ েগ ‘সামিয়ক বাংলােদশ VIOLENCE AGAINST CULTURAL EXPRESSION
অ হিত’, এমিবএফ’র িন ‣ BanglaTV: বাংলােদেশ গণিপ িনর
10/10/24 ঘটনায় উ র জা স কারস
‣ Dainik Prothom Alo: বাংলােদেশ বাংলােদশ
মৃ দ িব েপর আ ন ‣ Dainik Naya Digonta: বাংলােদেশ
এমিবএেফর গণিপ িনর ঘটনায় উ র
08/10/24 জা স কারস বাংলােদশ
‣ Dainik Sanbad: রাজৈনিতক অ রতায় ‣ Suprovat: বাংলােদেশ গণিপ িনর
দলব সিহংসতা ও গণিপ িনেত হ র ঘটনায় উ র জা স কারস
JMBF strongly condemns the rising wave
ঘটনায় গভীর উ গ: এমিবএফ বাংলােদশ of religious extremism and cultural
07/10/24 ‣ Dainik Inquilab: বাংলােদেশর পির িত repression including the cancellation of the
‣ Nagorik TV: বাংলােদেশ সিহংসতা: ‘Mahati Sadhu Sangh and Lalon Fair’ on
িনেয় উ র জা সেমকারস
November 21, 2024 at Narayanganj. [Full
মানবািধকার সংগঠেনর উ গ বাংলােদশ Statement Here]
Page # 4
টু
টু
টু
টু
টু
টু
জে
ত্যু
দ্বি
ব্যা
ব্যা
স্টি
গ্ন
দ্ধ
যো
ণ্ড
ফ্রা
দ্বি
মে
ন্সে
গ্ন
দ্বি
দ্বি
লো
জে
ফ্রা
জে
গ্ন
গ্ন
ফ্রা
ফ্রা
ন্সে
দ্বে
দ্বে
ত্যা
ন্সে
ন্সে
স্টি
ক্ষ
যো
জে
দ্বি
হ্বা
মে
স্টি
গ্ন
স্টি
স্টি
দ্বে
ফ্রা
দ্ধ
ক্ষ
ন্দা
স্টি
ন্সে
ন্দা
প্র
মে
মে
য়ি
স্থি
মো
ত্যা
স্থি
র্স
ISSUE 8 31 DECEMBER 2024

JMBF News coverage (English)

10/12/24
‣ WIO News: EU Wants Bangladesh To Uphold Rule Of
Law, Respect Fundamental Rights Of Minorities
10/12/24
‣ The Times of India: EU urges Yunus government to
uphold rule of law in Bangladesh
‣ Law Unfold: EU Urges Bangladesh’s Interim
Government to Uphold Rule of Law Amid Human Rights JMBF expresses deep concern over the widespread
Concerns harassment, extortion, and abuse of power targeting
02/12/24 vulnerable Hindu religious and Dalit minority
‣ 76Crimes.Com: LGBT teachers suffer as new communities in Chittagong by law enforcement
Bangladesh regime focuses on regaining stability agencies. Full Statement Here]

15/11/24
10/12/24:
‣ 76Crimes.com: Three men charged with killing gay
‣ 76Crimes.com: Human Rights Day commentary:
teacher in Bangladesh
Bangladesh needs to stamp out violence and abuses
04/11/24
12/10/24:
‣ 76Crimes.com: Bangladesh school principal fired for
‣ UNB: JMBF condemns JM Sen Hall Puja Mandap
being gay
event disruption
28/10/24 ‣ Business Standard: JMBF condemns JM Sen Hall
‣ 76Crimes.com: Academic in Bangladesh barred from Puja event disruption
teaching in response to anti-gay protesters ‣ Daily Sylheter Somoy: JMBF condemns JM Sen
19/10/24 Hall Puja Mandap event disruption
‣ UNB: JMBF condemns ‘police crackdown’ on private 10/10/24
college teachers ‣ Business Standard: France-based rights group
‣ Daily Sun: JMBF condemns ‘police crackdown’ on urges scrapping death penalty in Bangladesh
private college teachers ‣ Daily Financial Express: France-based rights group
‣ Daily Messenger: JMBF condemns ‘police crackdown’ calls for abolishing death penalty in Bangladesh
on private college teachers ‣ The Report: France-based rights group urges
scrapping death penalty in Bangladesh
18/10/24 ‣ UNB: France-based rights group urges scrapping
‣ GreenWatchBD: Rights group condemns 'murder' of
death penalty in Bangladesh
transgender woman in Tangail
‣ HTSyndication.com: France-based rights group 08/10/24
condemns 'murder' of transgender woman in Tangail ‣ Daily Star: Take decisive action to halt all mob
‣ 76Crimes.com: Bangladesh activists demand justice for violence: JMBF
murdered trans woman ‣ UNB: France-based group speaks out on state of
‣ Daily Sun: France-based rights group condemns lesbian rights in Bangladesh
'murder' of transgender woman in Tangail 07/10/24
‣ SampratikDeshKal: France-Based Rights Group ‣ UNB: France-based rights group voices concern
Condemns Murder Of Trans Woman In Tangail over mob violence in Bangladesh
‣ UNB: France-based rights group condemns 'murder' of ‣ Daily Messenger: France-based rights group voices
transgender woman in Tangail concern over mob violence in BD
‣ Daily Sky: France-based rights group voices
15/10/24
concern over mob violence in Bangladesh
‣ UNB: JMBF slams indemnity for uprising violence in
‣ Daily Financial Express: JusticeMakers voices
Bangladesh
concern over mob violence in Bangladesh
‣ DesiForce.com: JMBF slams indemnity for uprising
‣ Daily Sun: France-based rights group voices
violence in Bangladesh
concern over mob violence in Bangladesh
‣ Daily Messenger: JMBF slams indemnity for uprising
‣ Daily New Age: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in
violence in BD
France concerned over mob violence in Bangladesh
‣ Daily Business Post: JMBF slams indemnity for
‣ Business Standard: France-based rights group
uprising violence in Bangladesh
voices concern over mob violence in Bangladesh
Page # 5
ISSUE 8 31 DECEMBER 2024

VIOLENCE AGAINST RELIGIOUS POLITICAL REPRESSION OBSERVANCE OF THE DAY

MINORITY
Human Rights Day

JMBF expresses deep concern and On the occasion of World Human Rights
JMBF is deeply concerned and strongly condemns the recent ban on Day 2024, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in
condemns the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) on France (JMBF) joins the global community
Das, a revered Hindu priest, on October 23, 2024. [Full Statement Here] in reaffirming its commitment to the
November 25, 2024 in Dhaka. [Full advancement of human rights and
Statement Here] equality.[Full Statement Here]

Transgender Day of Remembrance

JMBF Strongly Protests the Indemnity

Decision Concerning Violent Incidents On this Transgender Day of
JMBF vehemently condemns the Remembrance 2024, JusticeMakers
during the July-August Mass Uprising. [Full
shocking and deliberate disruption of Bangladesh in France (JMBF) solemnly
Statement Here]
religious harmony at the JM Sen Hall honors the memory of transgender
Puja Mandap in Chittagong on October individuals who have tragically lost their
10, 2024. [Full Statement Here] lives to anti-transgender violence.[Full
Statement Here]
VIOLENCE AGAINST PRESS World Day Against Death Penalty

JMBF expresses grave concern and alarm

over the sharp rise in mob violence and
lynchings in Bangladesh under the interim
JMBF strongly condemns the recent government of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, On the occasion of World Day Against
cancellation of press accreditation cards Death Penalty 2024, JusticeMakers
established on August 8, 2024.[Full Bangladesh in France (JMBF) firmly calls
for 167 journalists by the interim
Statement Here] upon the current Interim Government of
government of Bangladesh. [Full
Statement Here] Bangladesh to abolish the death penalty in
VIOLENCE AGAINST PRESS all its forms in the country. [Full Statement
Here]

International Lesbian Day

JMBF unequivocally condemns and JMBF strongly condemns the unjust

protests the indirect threats and directives On the occasion of International Lesbian
dismissal of 5 journalists from Somoy TV
aimed at silencing Bangladeshi media Day 2024, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in
on December 22, 2024 under alleged
from publishing JMBF’s statements on France (JMBF) stands in solidarity with
human rights abuses occurring under the pressure by Hasnat Abdullah, leader of the
lesbian women and the broader LGBTQ+
current interim government. [Full anti-discrimination student movement. [Full
community, both in Bangladesh and
Statement Here] Statement Here]
around the world. [Full Statement Here]
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