Paris, France - May 17, 2024 - JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) proudly announces the release of the "Annual Report on the State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023," coinciding with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing global struggle for LGBTQI+ rights and underscores the importance of collective action in combating discrimination and prejudice.
This report, following the groundbreaking inaugural edition in 2022, represents a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and advancements in LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh. It acknowledges that the documented incidents may not fully represent the actual number and types of abuses against LGBT individuals in Bangladesh, as many incidents go unreported due to social stigma and unacceptability.
Compiled by JMBF through rigorous monitoring of news media and analysis, the report covers developments in LGBTQI+ rights from January to December 2023. It provides a detailed examination of the legal, social, and cultural landscape impacting LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges.
"As the Founder President of JMBF, it is a profound honor to introduce the 'Annual State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023,' building upon the groundbreaking work initiated with our inaugural report in 2022. No other organization in Bangladesh or the world publishes such a monitoring report focusing solely on Bangladesh," stated Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF.
The report addresses a wide range of issues faced by the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh, including family rejection, societal stigma and discrimination, barriers to education and employment, legal challenges, healthcare disparities, and persistent violence. It provides detailed analysis and recommendations aimed at promoting legislative reforms, enhancing social acceptance, and strengthening support systems for LGBTQI+ individuals.
Key findings from the report include a disturbing pattern of violence, discrimination, and marginalization faced by LGBTQI+ individuals across various domains such as family, society, education, and the workplace. Instances of violence, including killings, physical assaults, suicides, harassment, and extortion, totaled 56 incidents impacting 219 individuals in 2023.
Among these incidents, 9 resulted in the tragic murders of 9 LGBTQI+ individuals, including 3 gay, 3 bisexual, and 3 transgender individuals. Additionally, 11 incidents of physical assault left 92 individuals injured, while 1 incident involved an attempted suicide. Furthermore, 1 incident saw the kidnapping of 1 minority individual, and 4 incidents resulted in the detainment of 7 people by local powerful groups and police.
Moreover, 3 incidents targeted 66 sexual minority individuals through extortion, while 18 incidents implicated 55 LGBTQI+ individuals in criminal charges. Additionally, 16 cases led to the arrest and jail custody of 49 individuals, and 8 individuals tragically took their own lives in 6 separate incidents. Furthermore, 13 other incidents of various types involved violence against 19 people, highlighting the pervasive nature of the violence endured by the LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh.
Among the incidents and victims, a geographically significant number of incidents occurred in the Dhaka division, followed equally by the Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions. Consequently, the highest number of victims were from Dhaka, followed by Rajshahi, and then Chittagong divisions in relation to the incidents.
Among the documented incidents, 26 were reported in the Dhaka division, highlighting the concerning prevalence of such attacks in the nation's capital. Additionally, both the Chittagong and Rajshahi divisions experienced 7 incidents each, indicative of the widespread nature of these assaults across different parts of the country. Moreover, 6 incidents occurred in both the Khulna and Rangpur divisions, 2 in Sylhet, and 1 each in the Mymensingh and Barishal divisions.
In terms of victim demographics, 92 individual victims hailed from the Dhaka division, with significant victim counts in the Rajshahi division, where 49 individuals fell victim to violence. Additionally, the Chittagong division saw 35 individuals affected, while 21 individuals were impacted in the Khulna division and 10 in the Rangpur division. However, it's notable that some divisions experienced fewer incidents and victim counts, such as Mymensingh and Barishal, with only 7 and 1 reported victims, respectively.
Among these incidents, 5 specifically targeted lesbians, impacting 9 individuals, while 9 incidents were directed at gay individuals, involving 13 victims. Additionally, 8 incidents inflicted violence upon 6 bisexual individuals. However, the most alarming trend was the victimization of transgender individuals, with 34 incidents causing harm to 191 sexual minority LGBTQI individuals.
Among incidents and victims, 33 involved a singular type of violence, resulting in the victimization of 121 individuals. However, in the remaining 23 incidents, multiple types of violence were reported, impacting 98 individuals.
Within the incidents characterized by multiple types of violence, 7 cases featured two distinct forms of violence, leading to the victimization of 48 minority individuals. Additionally, in 15 incidents, 49 minority individuals faced the harrowing reality of experiencing three types of violence simultaneously. Furthermore, in one particularly egregious incident, 1 LGBTQI+ individual found themselves subjected to four distinct forms of violence, highlighting the severity and complexity of the challenges faced by marginalized communities in Bangladesh.
During the reporting period, various perpetrators were involved in perpetrating violence against LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh, often in collaboration with others, creating a complex web of perpetrators.
General people were responsible for 12 incidents of violence, resulting in the victimization of 36 sexual minority individuals. Among these, 6 incidents involved joint perpetration with members of the police, victimizing 25 LGBTQI+ individuals. Organized groups were implicated in thirteen incidents, leading to the victimization of 52 people, while government-related personnel were responsible for four incidents, victimizing 21 individuals. Notably, one incident involved joint perpetration by government personnel and members of the police, resulting in the victimization of one LGBTQI+ individual.
Family members, including parents and spouses, contributed to five incidents of violence, victimizing 7 people. Among these incidents, 3 involved joint perpetration by family members and member of police, leading to the victimization of 5 LGBTQI+ individuals. Members of the police were involved in perpetrating 20 incidents, resulting in the victimization of 54 individuals.
Additionally, victims themselves were perpetrators in six incidents, victimizing 9 individuals. The Hijra community was also implicated in five incidents, victimizing 70 individuals. Lastly, two incidents were perpetrated by other individuals, resulting in the victimization of 3 sexual minority LGBTQI+ people.
Notably, 06 incidents were driven by financial motives, resulting in the victimization of 102 individuals who became targets for exploitation or extortion. Furthermore, social unacceptability fueled 34 incidents, impacting 62 individuals who faced discrimination and hostility due to societal attitudes towards their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Internal conflicts within communities or families led to four incidents, victimizing 45 individuals who found themselves caught in personal disputes exacerbated by their LGBTQI+ identity. Additionally, police records identified 16 incidents where criminal activities were involved, resulting in the victimization of 32 individuals, highlighting the intersection of criminal behavior with violence against LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh.
Out of the reported incidents victims, 34 were direct criminal and civil offenses targeting 161 members of the LGBT community. However, only 11 of these incidents, affecting 13 individuals, were officially recorded as criminal cases. The remaining 23 incidents, impacting 148 individuals, have yet to face any legal repercussions.
Furthermore, the limited prosecutions in 2023 highlight a broader issue of impunity. Despite the seriousness of these offenses, only 20 perpetrators were arrested in connection with 9 cases throughout the year.
In light of these findings, JMBF presents a series of recommendations aimed at addressing systemic challenges and promoting LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh. These recommendations encompass legal reforms, anti-discrimination measures, access to healthcare, education, support services, and international cooperation.
"Despite several progressive initiatives taken by the present government in Bangladesh and the progress made in advancing LGBTQI+ rights globally, challenges persist, particularly in countries like Bangladesh where discrimination and violence against the community remain prevalent. Especially, Islamic religious groups (including Islamic extremists/terrorist groups) are vocal against the rights of LGBT people in Bangladesh," noted Advocate Shahanur Islam. "Through initiatives like this report, we aim to raise awareness, foster dialogue, and advocate for meaningful change to create a more inclusive and equitable society for all."
The "Annual State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023" report serves as a testament to JMBF's ongoing commitment to advancing justice and human rights in Bangladesh and beyond. By fostering dialogue, advocacy, and positive transformation, JMBF strives towards a future where LGBTQI+ rights are fully recognized, protected, and celebrated.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) extends its gratitude to all team members, collaborators, and supporters whose dedication and efforts have contributed to the creation of this report.
JMBF urges policymakers, legislators, civil society entities, and community leaders to heed the report's recommendations and work collaboratively toward achieving equality and justice for LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh.
Finally, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France urges all of you to generously support financially, whether institutionally or individually, with large amounts or small, at once or regularly, to continue monitoring, documenting, publishing, and advocating for addressing the violence against LGBTQI+ people in Bangladesh.
The full "Annual State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023" report is available for download here: LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023.
For further information, please contact Advocate Shahanur Islam directly.
Thank you.
Advocate Shahanur Islam
Founder President
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Email: shahanur.islam@jmbf.org
Blog: https://shahanur.blogspot.com
Cell/WhatsApp/Signal: +33(0)7 8395 2315
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