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।

Bangladeshi Human Rights Lawyer Discusses Future Cooperation with French Criminal Lawyer

ফ্রান্সে বসবাসরত বাংলাদেশী রিফুইজি, রাজনৈতিক আশ্রয়পার্থী ও অভিবাসীদের বিনামূল্যে আইনগত সহায়তা প্রদানে ফ্রান্স আইনজীবীর আগ্রহ প্রকাশ।

Bangladeshi human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam met with French criminal lawyer Clemence Witt on May 9th at the office of Chavanne and Witt Advocates in Paris.

Bangladeshi Human Rights Lawyer Shahanur Islam Meets with French Professor Dr. Philippe Benoit

Prominent Bangladeshi human rights activist and lawyer advocate Shahanur Islam and French human rights activist and Professor Dr. Philippe Benoit attended a bilateral meeting in Paris to discuss ongoing human rights violations in Bangladesh on yesterday 5th May. The meeting was also attended by Moinuddin Khan, a Bangladeshi human rights activist living in Paris.

How can society promote equality and respect for LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh?

Shahanur Islam

As a society, we often tout our commitment to human rights and equality for all, but the reality for members of the LGBTQI+ community in our country is far from ideal. Discrimination and violence based solely on sexual orientation or gender identity remain prevalent, and progress toward greater acceptance and inclusion has been slow.

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.

UN Special Rapporteurs Express Deep Concern Over Harassment and Threats Against Bangladeshi Lawyer Shahanur Islam

In a joint communication issued on January 17, 2023, two United Nations Special Rapporteurs have raised serious concerns about the harassment and death threats faced by prominent Bangladeshi lawyer, Shahanur Islam. The communication, addressed to the Government of Bangladesh, calls for immediate action to protect Mr. Islam and ensure the safety of his family.

Margaret Satterthwaite, the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, and Victor Madrigal-Borloz, the Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, have issued this communication in response to information they received regarding the alarming situation surrounding Mr. Shahanur Islam.

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. 

Bangladesh Needs to Make Further Progress Towards Gender Equality

Advocate Shahanur Islam

On 8th March “International Women's Day” is a global day of celebration and advocacy. Today, the world, including Bangladesh is celebrating International Women's Day, with this year's theme of "innovation and technology for gender equality".

Women's rights organizations, government bodies, civil society groups, trade unions, and NGOs all over the world are holding events to celebrate the day. International Women's Day is an annual occasion that recognizes women's achievements in the social, economic, cultural, and political spheres.

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.

French Human Rights Ambassador Honours Human Rights Defenders at Paris

On 28th February 2023, Delphine Borione, the Human Rights Ambassador of France, hosted a dinner at her residence in Paris, inviting prominent human rights defenders from around the world. The aim of the event was to discuss pressing human rights issues and to honor those who have been working tirelessly to promote and protect human rights in their respective countries.

Amongst the 12 human rights defenders invited to the dinner was Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi lawyer and human rights activist and founder secretary general of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, who has been actively advocating for human rights in his country. Shahanur Islam has been known for his dedication and commitment towards the promotion and protection of human rights, especially in the areas of freedom of expression, gender equality, and the rights of minorities including LGBTQI.

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.

মানবাধিকার আইনজীবী শাহানূর ইসলামের অংশগ্রহণমূলক গণতন্ত্র সম্মেলনে যোগদানে ফ্রান্সের উদ্দেশ্যে ঢাকা ত্যাগ

ফ্রান্স এর গ্রোনোবল সিটি কর্পোরেশনের মেয়র এরিক পোলে’র আমন্ত্রণে অংশগ্রহণমূলক গণতন্ত্র সম্মেলনে যোগদান করতে উদ্দেশ্যে মানবাধিকার আইনজীবী ও নওগাঁ নিউজের উপদেষ্টা অ্যাডভোকেট শাহানূর ইসলাম সৈকত আজ ফ্রান্সের উদ্দেশ্যে ঢাকা ত্যাগ করেছেন।

আজ ভোর রাতে এমিরেটস এয়ারলাইনের একটি বিমানে তিনি হজরত শাহাজালাল আন্তর্জাতিক বিমান বন্দর হতে ফ্রান্সের গ্রোনোবলের উদ্দেশ্যে রওনা দেন।

Bangladesh: Continuing Threats and Harassment of Lawyer Shahanur Islam

The Law Society of England and Wales (the “Law Society”) is the professional body representing approximately 200,000 solicitors in England and Wales. Its activities include upholding the independence of the legal profession, the rule of law and human rights throughout the world. The Law Society holds special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations since 2014.

The Law Society is gravely concerned about the continuing threats and harassment of lawyer Shahanur Islam in connection with his legitimate activities as a lawyer. He works as the Secretary General of the Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights and JusticeMakers Bangladesh. Mr Islam has defended the rights of ethnic, religious, and LGBTI minorities, as well as opposition politicians and has faced multiple death threats, intimidation, physical assault, and arrest since at least 2008.

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.”

OIAD ALERT: New death threats against Shahanur Islam, lawyer, human rights defender

Recently, Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi lawyer known for his human rights work, has suffered ongoing death threats against him and his family with impunity.

On 25 August 2022 Mr Islam received a threatening message in english on his phone from an unidentified number. The message threatened to kill the lawyer and his family if he continued to fight for LGBT rights in Bangladesh. On 8 September 2022, a new threatening text message was received by the 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.