Paris, France; December 18, 2023: In a groundbreaking initiative, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has published the first-ever comprehensive State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh for the year 2022, focusing on violence against LGBTQI+ people. The report, meticulously compiled by JusticeMakers Bangladesh (JMBD) and published by JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), sheds light on the harrowing struggles faced by the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh, offering a stark portrayal of pervasive discrimination and violence against sexual minority groups.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder Secretary General of JMBD and Founder President of JMBF, expressed a profound mixture of concern and determination in the foreword, emphasizing the organization's solemn obligation to confront and rectify the injustices that plague the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh.
The report, emanating and published from Paris, France on December 18, 2023, through a press release underscores the gravity of the situation, being the first of its kind to meticulously document violations against the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh. Prior to this undertaking, no organization, whether within Bangladesh or on the global stage, has dared to provide such a comprehensive perspective on the struggles faced by the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh.
Advocate Shahanur Islam expresses a solemn commitment to addressing the injustices and emphasizes the collective responsibility of policymakers, legislators, civil society entities, and community leaders in effecting positive change.
The report documented a total of 51 incidents of violence against LGBTQI+ individuals in 2022, involving 204 victims. The incidents encompassed a range of atrocities, including killings, physical assaults, psychological abuse, attempted suicides, job suspensions, kidnappings, detainments, harassment, ransom, and extortion, fabrication of cases, arrests, forced marriages, forced conversions, blackmailing, and others.
Notably, the report acknowledges that the actual number of incidents may be higher, as many violations go unreported due to social unacceptability and occurrences within private spaces, such as homes, offices, educational institutions, and workplaces, often escaping the attention of the media.
During the reporting period, the report discloses that 11 incidents resulted in the tragic deaths of 11 individuals, underscoring the severe consequences of the prevalent violence. Shockingly, in 3 incidents of attempted suicide, 5 individuals grappled with desperation, highlighting the alarming mental health toll faced by the LGBTQI+ community.
Physical assaults emerged as a distressing pattern, with 16 incidents victimizing 148 individuals. Notably, three incidents led to the suspension of 3 teachers from their jobs, emphasizing the repercussions on livelihoods within the community.
Kidnappings and detainments cast a dark shadow over the community, as 6 incidents involved the abduction of 9 minority individuals, and 4 incidents led to the detainment of 10 people by local powerful groups and police. The report sheds light on the vulnerability of the LGBTQI+ community to physical and psychological harassment, with 17 minority individuals facing such abuses in 9 incidents.
A startling dimension of the violence emerged with 5 incidents where sexual minority individuals became victims of ransom, underlining the extortion and exploitation faced by this marginalized group. Tragically, 7 individuals took their own lives in 6 incidents, reflecting the profound impact of societal discrimination and violence on the mental well-being of LGBTQI+ individuals. In two separate incidents, individuals found themselves in captivity and subject to blackmail, emphasizing the depths of cruelty faced by some within the community.
The report further uncovers instances of false accusations and fabricated cases, with 9 incidents implicating 17 LGBTQI+ individuals. Additionally, 7 cases resulted in the arrest and jail custody of 15 individuals, showcasing the legal ramifications and vulnerabilities faced by the community.
The geographical distribution of incidents reveals a concentration in the Dhaka division, with 22 incidents, followed by 9 in the Chittagong division and 7 in the Rajshahi division. Despite fewer incidents, the Rajshahi division reported the highest number of victims, highlighting the failure of law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of LGBTQI+ individuals in densely populated areas.
The report delves into victim demographics, revealing that out of the 204 victims, 18 were lesbians, 13 were gay individuals, and 173 were transgender individuals. It provides an analysis of single and multiple types of violence, detailing the motivations and contributing factors behind these horrific acts.
Furthermore, the report explores the impacts and consequences of violence against LGBTQI+ individuals, ranging from physical injuries and health complications to increased risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), traumatic brain injuries, and long-term health consequences. The psychological toll is evident in the form of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and even suicidal ideation.
In the face of these challenges, LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh encounter discrimination and violence in various aspects of life, including education, employment, healthcare, and housing. The criminalization of consensual same-sex activities under Section 377 of the Penal Code leaves them vulnerable to legal persecution and abuse.
The report concludes with a series of recommendations aimed at addressing violence, including legal reforms, policy initiatives, advocacy and awareness campaigns, education and training, establishment of support systems and safe spaces, collaboration and partnerships, and international cooperation.
As the world grapples with the urgent need for inclusivity and acceptance, this report serves as a crucial call to action, urging governments, policymakers, civil society entities, and community leaders to unite in the pursuit of justice, equality, and a future where LGBTQI+ individuals can live without fear of discrimination and violence.
For the full report, please visit the following link: https://www.scribd.com/document/692950845/State-of-LGBTQI-Rights-in-Bangladesh-2022-by-JMBF
Advocate Shahanur Islam
Founder President
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Email: saikotbihr@gmail.com
Blog: www.shahanur.blogspot.com
Mobile/WhatsApp/Signal: +33 07 83 95 23 15
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