Can we evade accountability for the death of transgender model Radia Teherin Utsha?

On Monday, April 22, 2024, Radia Teherin Utsha, a 19-year-old transgender model, tragically ended her life by jumping from the sixth-floor roof of Byatikram Mahila Hostel in Mirpur, Dhaka. Radia, a student in the honors first year at Mirpur Bangla College, took this drastic step.

The recent suicides of transgender individuals in Bangladesh, including Radia Tehrin Uthso who tragically took her own life, serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for societal change. These heartbreaking losses highlight the profound challenges faced by transgender people in our country, challenges that demand immediate attention and decisive action from all sectors of society.

The young woman was seriously injured after leaping from the female hostel located at Mahua Manzil, Mirpur-10. Despite efforts to save her, Radia succumbed to her injuries at the emergency department of Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital. It has been revealed that Radia had been concealing her transgender identity during her six-month stay at the hostel.

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.

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.

UN Special Rapporteur Expresses Concern over the situation of Bangladeshi Human Rights Lawyer Shahanur Islam

United Nations Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders took to social media to voice his concerns about the distressing situation faced by human rights lawyer and defender Shahanur Islam in Bangladesh. On 13th July 2023, the Special Rapporteur's status, posted on both Facebook and Twitter, highlighted the online harassment faced by Islam as a form of retaliation for his dedicated work in advocating for the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in the country. Moreover, it was revealed that the local police had made attempts to gather information about Islam and his family.

European Lawyers Demand Protection for Bangladeshi Lawyer Shahanur Islam from Continuous Threats and Harassment

The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), representing the bars and law societies of 46 countries and over 1 million European lawyers, has taken a firm stance against the continuous threats and harassment faced by lawyer Shahanur Islam and his family in Bangladesh. On July 7, 2023, the CCBE sent a letter to the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, addressing the grave concerns surrounding the safety of Shahanur Islam.

Facebook Group Calls for Ban of Human Rights Activist and Lawyer Shahanur Islam, Alleging Promoting Homosexuality in Bangladesh

A Facebook user named "Mon Dey" has called for the ban of human rights activist and lawyer Shahanur Islam in Bangladesh, alleging that he is implementing a Western agenda to establish and legitimize the homosexual agenda in the country.

At the same time, he urges the necessary steps to ban Justice Makers Bangladesh, an organization founded by Shahanur Islam.

Shahanur Islam Presents Critical Analysis of Violence Against LGBT People at International Symposium in England

 Bangladeshi prominent human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam participated as a discussant in the International Symposium titled "Safer-to-Be-Me" held at Sunderland University in England. The symposium was jointly organized on June 22 by the England-based international human rights organization Report Out International and the University of Sunderland.

Among the participants at the symposium were Sunderland University Senior Lecturer Sarah Ellis, Public Health Specialist Simon Fox, Gender and Sexual Minority Specialists Gabrielle Gucci and Damien Berger, Sunderland University Social Science Lecturer Sarah Connolly, University of Glasgow Reader Matthew Waits, University of London Visiting Research Fellow Dr. Felicity Daly, and Philip R. Crehan.

জেনেভায় মানবাধিকার সংলাপে বাংলাদেশী আইনজীবীর অংশগ্রহণ

জাতিসংঘ মানবাধিকার হাইকমিশন কার্যালয়ে অনুষ্ঠিত মানবাধিকার বিষয়ক সংলাপে বাংলাদেশি মানবাধিকার আইনজীবী শাহানূর ইসলাম অংশগ্রহণ করেন।

৯ জুন (শুক্রবার) সুইজারল্যাণ্ডের জেনেভায় অবস্থিত জাতিসংঘ মানবাধিকার হাই কমিশনের সদর দপ্তর উইলসন প্যালেসে তিন ঘন্টাব্যাপী সংলাপটি অনুষ্ঠিত হয়।

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।

Shahanur Islam addresses European lawyers on current human rights situation in Bangladesh

ব্রাসেলস এ বাংলাদেশের মানবাধিকার পরিস্থিতি পর্যালোচনা সভায় প্রধান বক্তা হিসেবে শাহানূর ইসলামের অংশগ্রহণ!

On May 11 (Thursday), a discussion meeting was held in Brussels, Belgium with the participation of European human rights lawyers to review the current human rights situation in Bangladesh.

গত ১১ মে (বৃহস্পতিবার) বাংলাদেশের বর্তমান মানবাধিকার পরিস্থিতি পর্যালোচনায় ইউরোপীয় মানবাধিকার আইনজীবীদের অংশগ্রহনে এক আলোচনা সভা অনুষ্ঠিত হয়।

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।

Shahanur Islam attended the 21st World Summit on Participatory Democracy at Grenoble, France

Bangladesh human rights activist and lawyer Advocate Shahanur Islam attend the 21st World Summit on Participatory Democracy held in 7th to 10th December 2022  at Grenoble, France.

More than 600 participants from over 60 countries shared and discussed democratic renewal, climate justice and participatory methodologies at the world summit of cities for democracy.

European attorneys seek protection for LGBTQ activist Bangladeshi lawyer

European lawyers are urging the prime minister of Bangladesh to protect a Bangladeshi attorney whose gay-rights activism has made him the target of death threats.

The president of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) wrote to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Oct. 19, seeking protection for attorney/activist Shahanur Islam.

In the letter, the CCBE “respectfully urges Your Excellency to do everything in your power to urgently provide adequate protection to lawyer Shahanur Islam and his family, since it is believed that this continuous acts of threats and harassment are based on his legitimate activities as a human rights lawyer.”

CCBE urgent to PM of Bangladesh on intensifying threats against lawyer Shahanur Islam

I am writing to you on behalf of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), which represents the bars and law societies of 46 countries, and through them more than 1 million European lawyers. The CCBE places great emphasis on respect for human rights and the rule of law and is particularly concerned with the situation of human rights defenders around the world.

The CCBE would like to reiterate its serious concern over the death threats against lawyer Shahanur Islam.

According to information we have received, following our letter of early October expressing our concerns about the safety of lawyer Shahanur Islam, we understand that the threats against him have intensified due to his continuous work as a lawyer in defence of human rights.

CCBE Letter to PM: Continuous threats and harassment against lawyer Shahanur Islam

 Subject: Continuous threats and harassment against lawyer Shahanur Islam

Your Excellency,

I am writing to you on behalf of the Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), which represents the bars and law societies of 46 countries, and through them more than 1 million European lawyers. The CCBE places great emphasis on respect for human rights and the rule of law and is particularly concerned with the situation of human rights defenders around the world.

Bangladeshi activist Shahanur has received repeated death threats!

Desk report

Shahanur Islam, a prominent human rights lawyer and gay rights campaigner in Bangladesh received repeated death threats SMS over his mobile phone.

Shahanur told to Soja Kotha that recently on 25th August and 6th September 2022, he received separate two death threats messages along with his wife and kid over his mobile phone.

Bangladesh: ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER, LAWYER & BLOGGER MR. SHAHANUR ISLAM

BANGLADESH: Continuous legal harassment against Bangladeshi lawyer, human rights defender and blogger Mr. Shahanur Islam

Dear Friends,

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights urges your prompt and urgent intervention on the continuous legal harassment against Bangladeshi lawyer, human rights defender and blogger Mr. Shahanur Islam, who is implicated with a false and fabricated criminal charge due to his constant battle against gross human rights violations as well as fighting to ensure constitutional recognition of LGBT rights in Bangladesh.