INDIA-BANGLADESH: JMBF Condemns Killing of Bangladeshi Citizen by Indian Border Security Force at Kumilla

Paris, France: June 11, 2024 - Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses profound concern and vehemently protests the killing of Bangladeshi citizen Anowar Hossain at the Jamtla Indian border area of Burichong upazila in Comilla on Sunday, June 9, 2024, by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF).

JMBF strongly condemns this egregious act of violence against an unarmed civilian along the India-Bangladesh border, which represents a blatant violation of human rights. JMBF demands immediate attention and action from the both India and Bangladesh government to provide exemplary punishment to the perpetrators involved in such gross human rights violations.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Deeply Concerned Over the Vandalism of Lalon Akhra in Kushtia!

Paris, France:The France-based human rights organization, Justicemakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), has expressed deep outrage and concern over the incident of the destruction of the Akhra of Baul Nishan Ali in Mirpur, Kushtia, on the night of June 7, 2024. The human rights organization has called for the immediate identification and exemplary punishment of the perpetrators.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Condemns the Death of a Woman in RAB Custody Allegedly Due to Torture

 Paris, France; May 26, 2024: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is deeply concerned and outraged over the tragic death of Suraiya Khatun, a 45-year-old woman in the custody of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) allegedly due to torture on Friday, May 17, 2024, in Bhairab, Kishoreganj.

JMBF calls for exemplary punishment for those responsible, in a fair trial according to the Torture and Death in Custody (Prevention) Act 2013, by forming a judicial committee to investigate the incident and identify the perpetrators free from any interference by RAB or other law enforcement agencies involved in the incident.

BANGLADESH: JMBF and SIL Express Deep Concern Over Recommendation to Remove 'Sharifa's Tale' from Seventh-Grade Textbook

Paris, France: France-based human rights organizations JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and Solidarity International LGBTQI+ (SIL) express deep concern over the recent recommendation by the expert committee formed by the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh to remove "Sharifa's Tale" from the seventh-grade social science textbook.

JMBF and SIL strongly urge the Ministry of Education to reject this recommendation from the biased committee. Instead, they call for the formation of a new committee led by a Justice of the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court. This new committee should include education specialists, social scientists, and members of civil society to thoroughly investigate the content in question.

According to a report published in Daily Prothom Alo on May 17, 2024, the high-level expert committee of the Ministry of Education submitted its report recommending the removal of "Sharifa's Tale" from the chapter on similarities and differences between people in the seventh-grade history and social science books. The committee cited various inaccuracies as reasons for their recommendation. The Ministry of Education is now considering its next steps.

JMBF's Urgent Demand for Justice in the Border Killings by Indian BSF and Immediate Halt to Violence

 Paris, France; May 09, 2024: The France-based rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses profound anguish and outrage in the strongest condemnation of the recent unjust and egregious killings of two Bangladeshi nationals by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at the Tetulia border in Panchagarh district on May 8, 2023, early morning. The brutal and unwarranted killing of Abdul Jalil and Yasin Ali, unarmed youths whose lives were ruthlessly snatched away, is an affront to humanity and a blatant violation of human rights.

According to reports published in different news media in Bangladesh, JMBF learned that on May 08, 2024, early morning between 12:30 am to 1:00 am, the Indian Border Security Force killed two Bangladeshi youths, Abdul Jalil, 24, of the Magura area, and Yasin Ali, 23, of the Tiranihat Brammatal area, along the Tetulia border in Panchagarh district using only two bullets. One of the Bangladeshis sustained a bullet to his head, while injuries to another could not be seen due to profound bleeding on the body; The Indian forces took away their bodies after the killings.

Bangladesh: JMBF and SIL Express Strong Concern Over the Recent Arrest of Two Lesbian Individuals in Tangail

Paris, France; April 30, 2024: France-based rights organizations JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and Solidarity International LGBTQI (SIL) jointly express profound concern and outrage over the recent arrest of two lesbian individuals from Tangail, Bangladesh, on April 21, 2024, due to their sexual orientation and same-sex relationship.

JMBF and SIL believe the arrest of the two lesbian women, who wished to marry, is a grave violation of their fundamental human rights and dignity as declared in the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Statement: JMBF Condemns Detention of Lesbian Couple in Bagerhat, Bangladesh

Paris, France; March 16, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expressed profound concern regarding the recent detention of a married lesbian couple by the Mongla police station in Bargethat. The detention followed a homophobic local public protest against the couple's expression of their sexual orientation and their marriage on April 13, 2024.

The France-based rights organization is deeply troubled by the police's actions in detaining the couple for 24 hours solely because of their decision to marry as a same-sex couple. JMBF views this incident as a blatant violation of the couple's constitutional rights and their dignity.

JMBF Condemns Brutal Murder of Transgender Reshma Khatun

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over the brutal murder of Reshma Khatun (25), a third-gender individual, whose decomposed body was discovered in March 2024 in the Kagajpukur graveyard of Benapole Port Police Station in Jessore, Bangladesh.

The France-based rights organization calls for the swift identification and apprehension of those responsible for this heinous act through a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation, followed by exemplary punishment after a fair trial.

Statement: JMBF Condemns Brutal Murder of Transgender Reshma Khatun, Calls for Swift Action and Legal Reforms

Paris, France; April 03, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over the brutal murder of Reshma Khatun (25), a third-gender individual, whose decomposed body was discovered in March 2024 in the Kagajpukur graveyard of Benapole Port Police Station in Jessore, Bangladesh.

The France-based rights organization calls for the swift identification and apprehension of those responsible for this heinous act through a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation, followed by exemplary punishment after a fair trial.

According to news published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, it has been learned that the police recovered the decomposed body of Reshma Khatun (25), a third gender individual, from the Kagajpukur graveyard of Benapole Port Police Station in Jessore.

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns BSF Killings of Bangladeshi Civilians: Calls for Urgent International Action

Paris, France: March 27, 2024 - Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and vehement protest over the recent shooting deaths of three unarmed Bangladeshi citizens and the injuring of another by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) within the past two weeks.

The JMBF, a human rights organization based in France, strongly condemns these egregious acts of violence perpetrated against innocent civilians along the India-Bangladesh border. These incidents represent a blatant violation of human rights, and as such, demand immediate attention and action from the international community.

বিএসএফ কর্তৃক তিন বাংলাদেশি হত্যার ঘটনায় জেএমবিএফ উদ্বিগ্ন

গত দুই সপ্তাহে ভারতীয় সীমান্তরক্ষী বাহিনী (বিএসএফ) কর্তৃক গুলি করে তিন বাংলাদেশি নিরস্ত্র নাগরিক হত্যা ও একজন নাগরিককে আহত করার ঘটনায় মানবাধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠান জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ) গভীর উদবেগ ও প্রতিবাদ জানাচ্ছে।

ভারত-বাংলাদেশ সীমান্তে বিএসএফের গুলি করে নিরস্ত্র বাংলাদেশি নাগরিকদের হত্যার ঘটনা মানবাধিকারের চরম লঙ্ঘন বলে ফ্রান্স ভিত্তিক মানবাধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠান জেএমবিএফ মনে করে। তাই ভবিষ্যতে দায়িত্ব পালনকালে কোনো ভাবেই বেসামরিক নাগরিকদের যেন ক্ষতি না হয় সেজন্য বিএসএফ সদস্যদের সর্বোচ্চ সতর্কতা অবলম্বনপূর্বক নির্বিচারে গুলি চালানো থেকে বিরত থাকার আহবান জানায় মানাবাধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠানটি।

JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arrest of Two Lesbian Girls in Satkhira

Paris, France; March 12, 2024: The France-based rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and outrage over the recent arrest of two lesbian individuals from Satkhira on January 04, 2024. These arrests, which occurred solely based on the girls’ sexual orientation and their same-sex relationship, are a grave violation of their rights and dignity.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arrest of Two Lesbian Girls in Satkhira

Paris, France; March 12, 2024: The France-based rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and outrage over the recent arrest of two lesbian individuals from Satkhira on January 04, 2024. These arrests, which occurred solely based on the girls' sexual orientation and their same-sex relationship, are a grave violation of their rights and dignity.

According to reports from various online newspapers in Bangladesh, the two lesbian teenagers were apprehended from the Brajabaksa area of Helatla Union in Kalaroa Upazila on January 4, 2024, by the members of the Kalaroa Police Station. One of the arrested girls is Mahima Khatun (17), daughter of Abdul Mannan from Idanpur village in the Doara Bazar police station of Sunamganj district, and the other is Rubina Khatun (18), daughter of Anisur Rahman from Brajbaksa village in Helatla Union of Kalaroa Upazila in Satkhira.

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. 

Statement: JMBF Calls for Justice for the Death of Faruk Hossain Hossain Due to Alleged Torture in Police Custody at Dhaka!

Paris, France; February 02, 2023: France base human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned and outraged over the tragic death of Faruk Hossain Hossain, a bodybuilder and former Mister Bangladesh, as well as the personal bodyguard of the former chairman of City Bank Limited, Mohammad Shoaib, due to alleged torture by the police at Bangshal Police Station under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) following arrest for possession of cannabis.

JMBF urges the formation of a judicial inquiry committee, headed by a justice of the High Court Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh, to investigate this incident, ensuring the highest levels of integrity and transparency in the proceedings. JMBF also calls for exemplary punishment for the alleged culprits through a fair and transparent trial under the Prohibition of Torture and Death in Custody Law 2013.

STATEMENT: JMBF Expresses Grave Concerns Over the Misinformation Campaign Against the Positive Inclusion of Third-Gender Portrayal in Textbooks.

Paris, France; January 24, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) vehemently condemns the recent actions and statements made by Mr. Asif Mahatab Utsho, a former teacher at BRAC University. The incident, which involves false propaganda against the positive portrayal of third gender issues and spreading misinformation about homosexuality in Bangladesh and Europe, along with the subsequent tearing up of Class Seven textbook pages, is highly concerning and goes against the principles of responsible academic discourse.

Statement: JMBF's Deep Concern and Protest Regarding the Incident of 6 Bangladeshis Killed, 4 Injured, and 7 Arbitrarily Arrested by BSF in December!

Paris, France; December 31, 2023: France-based human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), expresses grave concern and protests over the incident involving the killing of 6 Bangladeshi citizens through shooting, injuring 4 individuals by firing, and the arbitrary detention of 7 people by the Indian Border Guard Force (BSF) at the Bangladesh-India border in the last month (December).

Moreover, as the killing of unarmed Bangladeshi citizens by the BSF on the border constitutes a gross violation of international human rights law, the French-based human rights organization calls upon BSF members to exercise the utmost care in fulfilling their duties in accordance with international law.

STATEMENT: JMBF Calls for Justice and Accountability for the Alleged Two Deaths Due to Torture under Police Custody in Jamalpur & Habiganj

Paris, France; December 28, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned and outraged over the alleged death of Anwar Hossain and Golam Rabbani due to torture in police custody at Sarishabari Police Station under Jamalpur district and Baniachang Police Station under Habiganj district in Bangladesh, on December 26, 2023.

JMBF demands exemplary punishment for the culprits involved in the alleged gross human rights violation, investigating by forming an inquiry committee led by a judicial magistrate to ensure the highest levels of integrity and transparency in the proceedings.

Multiple news sources reported that Anwar Hossain (45) of village Chaparkona under Sarishabari police station in Jamalpur district was arrested on December 26 in the afternoon in connection with a case filed on December 25 for locking into an altercation with one Firoz Mia in Chaparkona market on December 10. Mushfiqur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Sarishabari police station, said Anwar fell ill after being brought to the police station on Tuesday evening. He died while being taken to Sarishabari Upazila Health Complex around 1 am. Mehedi Hasan, the duty doctor of Sarishabari Upazila Health Complex, said Anwar was brought dead to the hospital. An ECG was also performed to confirm his death. Police later handed over his dead body to his family after the completion of the autopsy by Jamalpur General Hospital. However, the deceased’s family claimed that Anwar died due to torture in custody. Anwar's wife, Alpana Begum, said that her husband was completely sound when he was picked up by the police, and her husband was killed due to torture by police in Sarishabari police station. His sister, Nurjahan Begum, demanded justice for the killing of her brother. Meanwhile, Sub-Inspector Sohel Rana, the investigating officer of the case, denied the family’s torture and murder allegations.

প্রেস বিবৃতি: জামালপুর ও হবিগঞ্জে পুলিশ হেফাজতে শারীরিক নির্যাতনে দুই আসামী নিহতের অভিযোগের ঘটনায় জেএমবিএফ বিচার বিভাগীয় তদন্তের আহ্বান জানিয়েছে।

প্যারিস, ফ্রান্স; ২৮ ডিসেম্বর ২০২৩: গত ২৬ ডিসেম্বর মঙ্গলবার বাংলাদেশের জামালপুর জেলার অন্তর্গত সরিষাবাড়ী থানায় এবং হবিগঞ্জ জেলার অন্তর্গত বানিয়াচং থানায় পুলিশ হেফাজতে নির্যাতনের কারণে আনোয়ার হোসেন ও গোলাম রব্বানী নামক দুইজন গ্রেফতারকৃত আসামীর কথিত মৃত্যুর অভিযোগের ঘটনায় ফ্রান্স ভিত্তিক মানবাধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠান জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ) গভীর উদ্বেগ প্রকাশ করেছে।

জেএমবিএফ বিচারিক ম্যাজিস্ট্রেটের নেতৃত্বে একটি তদন্ত কমিটি গঠন করে নিরপক্ষে তদন্তের মাধ্যমে উল্লেখিত মানবাধিকারের চরম লঙ্ঘনজনিত ঘটনার সাথে জড়িত ব্যক্তিদের খুজে বের করে দ্রুত স্বচ্ছ বিচারের মাধ্যমে অভিযুক্তদের দৃষ্টান্তমূলক শাস্তি প্রদানের জোড় দাবি করেছে।

বাংলাদেশে প্রকাশিত একাধিক সংবাদ মাধ্যম সূত্রে জানা গেছে, জামালপুর জেলার সরিষাবাড়ী থানাধীন চাপরকোনা গ্রামের আনোয়ার হোসেনকে (৪৫)গত ২৬ ডিসেম্বর বিকেলে চাঁপারকোনা বাজার থেকে একটি মামলায় গ্রেপ্তার করা হয়। সরিষাবাড়ী থানার ভারপ্রাপ্ত কর্মকর্তা (ওসি) মুশফিকুর রহমান জানান, মঙ্গলবার সন্ধ্যায় আনোয়ারকে থানায় আনার পর অসুস্থ হয়ে পড়ে। মধ্যরাত ১টার দিকে সরিষাবাড়ী উপজেলা স্বাস্থ্য কমপ্লেক্সে নেওয়ার পথে তার মৃত্যু হয়। পরে জামালপুর জেনারেল হাসপাতালে ময়নাতদন্ত শেষে তার লাশ পরিবারের কাছে হস্তান্তর করে পুলিশ।

প্রেস বিবৃতি: ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে স্নাতক শিক্ষাক্রমে ট্রান্সজেণ্ডার কোটা বাতিল এবং রংপুরে জাতীয় সংসদ সদস্য পদপার্থী ট্রান্সজেণ্ডার নারীর উপর হামলার ঘটনায় জেএমবিএফ গভীরভাবে উদ্বিগ্ন!

প্যারিস,ফ্রান্স;২৬ ডিসেম্বর ২০২৩: প্রতিক্রিয়াশীল মুসলিম ছাত্র ছাত্রীদের আন্দোলনের মূখে ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় কর্তৃপক্ষ কর্তৃক স্নাতক পর্যায়ের শিক্ষাক্রমে নির্ধারিত ট্রান্সজেন্ডার কোটা বাতিলের ঘোষণা এবং দ্বাদশ জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচনে রংপুর-৩ আসনে ট্রান্সজেন্ডার নারী স্বতন্ত্র প্রার্থী আনোয়ারা ইসলাম রানীর উপর আক্রমণের ঘটনায় ফ্রান্স ভিত্তিক মানবাধিকার প্রতিষ্ঠান জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ইন ফ্রান্স (জেএমবিএফ)গভীর উদ্বেগ ও প্রতিবাদ জানিয়েছে।

সমাজের পশ্চাদপদ অবহেলিত জনগোষ্ঠির অংশ হওয়া স্বত্তেও শুধুমাত্র যৌন সংখ্যালঘু সম্প্রদায়ের অন্তর্ভূক্ত হওয়ায় প্রতিক্রিয়াশীল মুসলিম ছাত্র ছাত্রীদের আন্দোলনের মূখে ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় কর্তৃপক্ষ কর্তৃক স্নাতক পর্যায়ের শিক্ষাক্রমে নির্ধারিত ট্রান্সজেন্ডার কোটা বাতিলের ঘোষণা এবং বর্তমান সরকারের সহযোগী ও জাতীয় সংসদের তথাকথিত বিরোধী দল জাতীয় পার্টির নেতা কর্মীদের দ্বারা দ্বাদশ জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচনে রংপুর-৩ আসনে স্বতন্ত্র প্রার্থী ট্রান্সজেন্ডার নারী আনোয়ারা ইসলাম রানীর উপর আক্রমণের ঘটনা বাংলাদেশের সর্বোচ্চ আইন সংবিধান ও জাতিসংঘ ঘোষিত সার্বজনীন মানবাধিকারের সুস্পষ্ট লংঘন বলে জেএমবিএফ মনে করে।