STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns Discriminatory Actions Against LGBT Individuals by Major Political Parties in Bangladesh

Paris, France; February 26, 2024: The France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over recent discriminatory actions against transgender and homosexual individuals, as well as the propagation of hate speech against homosexuality in Bangladesh by major political parties, including the ruling party Bangladesh Awami League, the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatio Party, and the Islamic-religion-based political party Islami Andolon Bangladesh.

According to reports published in various Bangladeshi newspapers, on February 4th, the Opposition Chief Whip of the National Parliament in Bangladesh and Jatiya Party General Secretary, Mujibul Haque Chunnu, demanded the removal of two lines from a seventh-grade textbook, claiming they were controversial with Islam. He argued that the inclusion of transgenderism in the textbook was solely aimed at creating social chaos by undermining traditional social values. 

JMBF Participates in UNESCO's 75th Anniversary Commemoration of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) actively participated in the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, organized by UNESCO in collaboration with the Permanent Representation of the European Union on December 11, 2023. The event served as a momentous occasion to reaffirm the global commitment to human rights and their crucial role in UNESCO's mission encompassing education, science, culture, and communication.

Focusing on UNESCO's Global Priorities—Africa and Gender Equality—the commemoration provided a platform for diverse perspectives, addressing the connections, challenges, and opportunities for impactful action in the realm of human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted on December 10, 1948, continues to be hailed as "the common standard of achievement for all people and all nations."

JMBF Participates in the Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

In a world grappling with challenges to human rights, France hosted a pivotal conference at the iconic Palais de Chaillot in Paris on December 10, 2023, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The event, organized by the French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the Minister of Justice, aimed to rekindle dialogue, foster international cooperation, and reaffirm the timeless importance of the Declaration as a foundation for fundamental rights and liberties.

The conference, titled "75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Defending the Rights of Everyone, Everywhere," was concluded by a powerful speech from the President of the Republic, Mr. Emmanuel Macron. The gathering served as a platform to address contemporary challenges to human rights and underline the universal and indivisible nature of these rights.

The event comprised three insightful round table discussions, exploring crucial themes: supporting and protecting human rights defenders, the new frontiers for rights, and fighting impunity everywhere.

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 on harassment against Bangladesh lawyer Shahanur Islam

Lawyers for Lawyers is concerned about the continued harassment of Bangladeshi lawyer Shahanur Islam. Lawyers for Lawyers has strong reasons to believe Mr Islam is being targeted for his work to defend the rights of ethnic, religious and sexual minorities in his capacity as a lawyer and human rights defender.

জেএমবিএফ’’র বাংলাদেশে আইনজীবীদের বিরুদ্ধে সহিংসতার বার্ষিক প্রতিবেদন প্রকাশ!

প্যারিস, ফ্রান্স-আগস্ট ১০,২০২৩: জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ)সম্প্রতি ২০২২ সালে বাংলাদেশে আইনজীবীদের বিরুদ্ধে সংঘটিত সহিংসতার বেদনাদায়ক প্রবণতা সংক্রান্ত বার্ষিক প্রতিবেদন প্রকাশ করেছে।

 উক্ত প্রতিবেদনে  ২০২২ সালের জানুয়ারি থেকে ডিসেম্বর মাস পর্যন্ত বাংলাদেশে আইনঅজীবীরা পেশাগত দায়িত্ব পালনে যে সকল সহিংসতা ও চ্যালেঞ্জের মুখোমুখি হয়েছে তাঁর একটি ভয়াবহ চিত্র তুলে ধরেছে এবং উক্ত উদ্বেগজনক পরিস্থিতি মোকাবেলায় জরুরি পদক্ষেপ গ্রহণের জন্য সংশ্লিষ্ট কর্তৃপক্ষের নিকট আহ্বান জানিয়েছে।

JMBF Publishes Comprehensive Annual Report on Violence Against Lawyers in Bangladesh for 2022

Paris, France, August 10, 2023:  A shocking and distressing trend of violence against lawyers in Bangladesh has been unveiled by the recently published comprehensive annual report by JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). The report, covering the period from January to December 2022, paints a grim picture of the challenges faced by legal professionals in the country and calls for urgent action to address the alarming situation.

The report, published in Paris, France on August 10, 2023, is a groundbreaking endeavor that sheds light on the disconcerting incidents of violence targeting lawyers in Bangladesh. It is a meticulous documentation of incidents that includes physical attacks, assault, beatings, murder, rape, kidnappings, fabrication of cases, arrests, threats, intimidation, attempted murder, and judicial harassment.

Bangladeshi Human Rights Activist Holds Meeting with European Council Human Rights Commissioner in Strasbourg

Advocate Shahanur Islam, a prominent Bangladeshi human rights activist, recently engaged in a productive meeting with Madam Dunja Mijatovic, the Commissioner for Human Rights of the European Council. The multilateral discussion took place today at the European Council building in Strasbourg, France.

During the meeting, Madam Dunja Mijatovic provided a comprehensive overview of the activities conducted by the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of the European Council. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange insights and strategies related to the promotion and protection of human rights globally.

ফ্রান্সে বসবাসত বাংলাদেশী রাজনৈতিক আশ্রয়প্রার্থী ও শরনার্থীদের সার্বিক উন্নয়নে কাজ করতে আগ্রহী ফ্রান্স –তেরে-এজাইল।

শরনার্থীদের অধিকার নিয়ে কাজ করা ফ্রান্সের অন্যতম বৃহৎ অলাভজনক সংস্থা ফ্রান্স –তেরে-এজাইল (এফটিএ) এবং প্রস্তাবিত মানবাধিকার সংগঠন জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ) ফ্রান্সে বসবাসরত বাংলাদেশী রাজনৈতিক আশ্রয়প্রার্থী ও শরনার্থীদের অধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠা ও জীবন মান উন্নয়নে একযোগে কাজ করতে সম্মত হয়েছে।

Head of Inter-Ministerial Delegation Welcomes Human Rights Activists in France

মানবাধিকারকর্মীদের অভ্যর্থনা জানালেন ফ্রান্স আন্তঃমন্ত্রণালয় ডেলিগেশন প্রধান।

On May 10th, Alain Régnier, the head of the Inter-Ministerial Delegation for the Reception and Integration of Refugees in France, welcomed 14 human rights activists from around the world to a luncheon at the building of French Ministry of the Interior.

ফ্রান্সে শরণার্থীদের অভ্যর্থনা ও একীকরণ বিষয়ক আন্তঃমন্ত্রণালয় ডেলিগেশন মেরিয়েন ইনিশিয়েটিভ ফর হিউম্যান রাইটস ডিফেন্ডার্স বিজয়ী মানবাধিকারকর্মীদের অভ্যর্থনা জানিয়েছেন। গত ১০ মে (মঙ্গলবার) ফ্রান্স স্বরাষ্ট্র বিষয়ক মন্ত্রণালয় ভবনে সারা বিশ্ব থেকে আগত ১৪ মানবাধিকারকর্মীকে মধ্যাহ্নভোজে অংশগ্রহনের মাধ্যমে অভ্যর্থনা জানানো হয়।