JMBF President Raises Concerns Over Hate Speech and Misinformation to French President Macron

At the culmination of the historic constitutional sealing ceremony for the right to abortion on International Women’s Day, Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), engaged in a brief yet significant discussion with President Emmanuel Macron of France. The conversation, held at the iconic Place Vendôme in Paris, underscored pressing concerns regarding hate speech and misinformation originating from Bangladeshi politicians, particularly targeting the LGBTQ+ community.

Mr. Islam, attended the event as a distinguished laureate of the Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders, seized the opportunity to address President Macron on the escalating issue. He expressed grave apprehensions about the recent surge in anti-gay and anti-trans rhetoric propagated by certain Bangladeshi political figures, coupled with their staunch opposition to the inclusion of references to transgender individuals in school textbooks.

President Emmanuel Macron of the Republic of France assured him to deal with the raised issues through diplomatic channels.

The discussion took place against the backdrop of a momentous occasion—the constitutional amendment affirming abortion rights in France. Justice Minister Eric Dupond-Moretti ceremoniously sealed the amendment using a 19th-century printing press, symbolizing a significant step forward in safeguarding women's reproductive rights. The resounding applause that echoed through the cobblestoned streets of Place Vendôme marked France's pioneering stance as the first country to enshrine abortion rights explicitly in its national constitution.

France's unwavering commitment to women's rights was further underscored by the overwhelming support for the constitutional amendment, with a decisive 780-72 vote in favor, including backing from members of the far-right. This monumental achievement reaffirms France's stance on abortion as a matter of public health, transcending political divides.

In the broader context of advancing women's rights globally, Friday's ceremony served as a beacon of progress. From Jakarta to Mexico City, marches, protests, and conferences resonated with the shared goal of promoting gender equality and reproductive justice.

Advocate Shahanur Islam's dialogue with President Macron highlights the imperative of international solidarity in confronting systemic challenges such as hate speech and misinformation, while celebrating pivotal victories in the ongoing fight for gender equality and human rights.

The ceremony at Place Vendôme not only commemorated a historic milestone in France's constitutional history but also served as a poignant reminder of the collective struggle for women's rights worldwide.