সমগ্র বিশ্বের ১৪ মানবাধিকারকর্মীকে এলিসি প্রাসাদে ফ্রান্স প্রেসিডেন্টের সংবর্ধনা প্রদান

গত ১৭ মার্চ ২০২৩, শুক্রবারে ফ্রান্স প্রেসিডেন্ট ইমানুয়েল ম্যাক্রো প্যারিসের এলিসিয়ে প্রাসাদে সারা বিশ্ব থেকে আগত চৌদ্দ জন মানবাধিকারকর্মীকে সংবর্ধনা প্রদান করেন। বাংলাদেশের বিশিষ্ট মানবাধিকার আইনজীবী এবং জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশের প্রতিষ্ঠাতা শাহানুর ইসলাম ছিলেন তাদের একজন।

ফ্রান্স পররাষ্ট্র ও ইউরোপিয়ান ইউনিয়ন বিষয়ক মন্ত্রী ক্যাথেরিন কলোনা, স্বরাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রনালয়ের সচিব সোনিয়া ব্যাকস, ফ্রান্স মানবাধিকার এম্বাসেডর ডেলফিন বরিওন এবং ফ্রান্স শরণার্থী অভ্যর্থনা এবং একীকরণের জন্য আন্তঃমন্ত্রণালয়ের প্রধান অ্যালাইন রেগনিয়ার সংবর্ধনা অনুষ্ঠানে উপস্থিত ছিলেন।

Human Rights Lawyer Shahanur Islam Joins Hands with ARDHIS for Bangladeshi LGBTQI Asylum Seekers in France

On March 22, 2023, Shahanur Islam, a human rights lawyer from Bangladesh and the founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, met with Mr. Eric Lejeune from the Association for the Recognition of the Rights of Homosexual and Trans People to Immigration and Residence (ARDHIS) at the SPACE office in Boulogne-Billancourt, France. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the present situation of LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh and seek cooperation to improve the rights of sexual minorities in the country.

During the meeting, Mr. Islam highlighted the numerous challenges faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh, including physical assault, murder, threats, rape, sexual abuse, bullying, discrimination, social stigma, and psychological abuse. He also noted that these incidents often go unreported due to stigma and intolerance from families, society, and the state. Additionally, existing discriminatory laws criminalize same-sex activities and can lead to life imprisonment.

French President Hosts Reception for Human Rights Defenders at Élysée Palace

Photo pose with president after reception at Elysee

On Friday, March 17th, 2023, the President of the Republic of France, Mr. Emmanuel Macron, hosted a reception at the Élysée Palace in Paris for fourteen human rights defenders from around the world. Prominent human rights lawyer and founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, Mr. Shahanur Islam, was one of them.

Mr. Islam was invited to speak as a laureate of the 2023 Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders, which aims to support human rights defenders globally. The winners of the 2023 Marianne Initiative come from Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Colombia, Iran, Mali, Uganda, Peru, Russia, El Salvador, Syria, and Venezuela, representing all continents.

New Platform to Fight Discrimination Against LGBTQI+ Community in Bangladesh

On March 16, 2023, Shahanur Islam, a human rights defender and lawyer from Bangladesh and also the founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, had an official bilateral meeting with Mr. Jean-Marc Berthon, the Ambassador for LGBT+ Rights of France, at his office in Paris."

During the meeting, Mr. Islam brought attention to the current human rights situation faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people in Bangladesh. He highlighted the challenges and difficulties they face in their daily lives, including discrimination, violence, and criminalization.

Human Rights Advocates Meet with French Ambassador to the Council of Europe

On March 13, 2023, Shahanur Islam, a prominent human rights defender, met with Ms. Marie Fontanel, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of France to the Council of Europe, at her residence in Strasbourg, France. 

Islam was among 13 laureates of the Marianne Initiative for Human Rights Defenders 2023, who were invited to attend an exchange of views meeting regarding the current human rights situation in their respective countries. 

Human Rights Lawyer Shahanur Islam Presents State of Human Rights in Bangladesh at France

Renowned Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, Shahanur Islam, attended a project presentation event at the conference hall of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in France on 03 March 2023.

Moderated by Ms. Delphine Borione, the Ambassador at large for Human Rights Ambassador in France, Shahanur Islam presented the state of human rights in Bangladesh, his journey as a human rights defender, and his project with the Marianne Initiative for human rights defenders in France.