Shahanur Islam's Blog Post Spotlighted in UK Home Office Report on LGBTQ+ Rights in Bangladesh

Bangladeshi prominent human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam's blog post on LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh has been highlighted in the "Country Policy and Information Note: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity, Bangladesh," published by the UK Home Office's Visa and Immigration department on September 5, 2023. Shahanur's article, titled "How can society promote equality and respect for LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh?" was one of the most highlighted pieces in the report.

Additionally, JusticeMakers Bangladesh, a prominent nonprofit organization, founded by Shahanur Islam, dedicated to LGBTQ+ rights and social justice in Bangladesh, has received international recognition for its tireless efforts. In a recent report published by the Visa and Immigration department under the UK Home Office, JusticeMakers Bangladesh's activities and a notable blog post of Shahanur Islam have been prominently featured. 

Statement: Strong Condemnation and Protest by JMBF over killing of a Bangladeshi citizen by BSF

Paris, France: September 18, 2023- JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France base human rights organization, strongly condemns and protests the killing of a Bangladeshi citizen, Mizanur Rahman (50), by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on September 15, 2023, at Beninpur border of Chuadanga, Bangladesh.

JMBF believes that the killing of an unarmed civilian by the BSF on the border is a gross violation of human rights. BSF personnel must exercise utmost caution and refrain from indiscriminate firing while performing their duties, so as to avoid any harm to civilians.

সলঙ্গায় শিক্ষক পুত্র কর্তৃক হিজড়াকে বিয়ে: ৭০ হাজার টাকায় রফা!

এনামুল হক: সিরাজগঞ্জ প্রতিনিধি: সিরাজগঞ্জের সলঙ্গায় শিক্ষক পুত্র অন্তর(১৭) কর্তৃক হিজড়াকে বিয়ে করার দীর্ঘ সময় পর পারিবারিক চাপের মুখে ৭০ হাজার টাকার বিনিময়ে রফাদফা পুর্বক তালাক দেওয়া হয়েছে বলে চাঞ্চল্যকর তথ্য পাওয়াগেছে।

 এদিকে হিজড়াকে বিয়ে ও পরবর্তী তালাক দেওয়ার ঘটনাটি এযাবতকাল চাপা থাকলেও তা এখন জনসম্মুখে ছড়িয়ে পড়েছে। অপরদিকে জনসম্মুখে ছড়িয়ে পড়া এঘটনাটি অতিগোপনীয়ভাবে তৃতীয় লিঙ্গের প্রতিনিধিসহ কতিপয় মাতব্বররা প্রায় ১৫দিন আগে সিরাজগঞ্জ রোডের পুর্ব-দক্ষিণ পাশে অবস্থিত দাদনপুর প্রিয় নীড়ে বসে সামাজিক শালিসের মাধ্যমে ৭০ হাজার টাকার বিনিময়ে রফাদফা পুর্বক নিকাহ রেজিস্ট্রারের মাধ্যমে তালাক দিয়েছে।

Statement: JMBF Expresses Grave Concern over Sentencing of Two Human Rights Defenders in Bangladesh

PARIS, FRANCE - September 16, 2023 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, is deeply alarmed by the recent verdict that has sentenced two Bangladeshi human rights defenders Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan to two years' imprisonment.

The imprisonment of these two human rights defenders raises serious questions about the state of freedom for human rights activists and activism in Bangladesh. JMBF stands in solidarity with Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin Elan, two unwavering champions of human rights in Bangladesh.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern over the Police Attack on Pro-BNP Lawyers' Protest March in Dhaka

Paris, France: 12th September 2023 - The human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed profound concern and anger over the police attack that resulted in injuries to 12 lawyers during a protest march by BNP lawyers demanding the resignation of Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a Paris-based human rights organization, is calling for a swift and impartial investigation into the incident of the police attack and immediate punishment following a transparent trial under criminal law for those responsible.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Grave Concern over the Brutal Torture of Two Student Leaders in Police Custody!

Paris, France: September 10, 2023** - The human rights organization Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses grave concern and outrage regarding the physical torture of two student leaders in police custody at the Shahabag police station in the capital city of Dhaka, Bangladesh.

The Paris-based human rights organization, Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), issued a press statement on September 10, calling for an immediate judicial investigation into the incident to identify the accused and ensure exemplary punishment through a transparent judicial process.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern Negative Portrayal of Homosexuality in Daily Sangram

Paris, France: September 9, 2023 - The France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed its profound dismay and concern over the negative portrayal of Bangladeshi homosexuals in the Daily Sangram newspaper, published in Dhaka.

The human rights organization calls upon the newspaper to issue an immediate apology for disseminating negative content regarding homosexuals and urges it to refrain from spreading further misinformation about homosexuality.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Grave Concerns over the Inclusion of the Death Penalty in Ansar Battalion Act, 2023

Paris, France– JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerns over the Cabinet approval of the Ansar Battalion Act, 2023, by the Government of Bangladesh on September 4, 2023, which includes the death penalty as the maximum punishment for various offenses, including mutiny and provocation for rebellion.

The decision to uphold the death penalty as the ultimate form of punishment under this new legislation is a matter of profound concern, and JMBF strongly demands for reducing the maximum penalty from death to life imprisonment until the end of natural life.

গোপালগঞ্জে গভীর রাতে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ছাত্রকে পুলিশী নির্যাতনের বিষয়ে যথাযথ তদন্তপূর্বক প্রয়োজনীয় ব্যবস্থা গ্রহণ করা হোক!

বরাবর,

জনাব আসাদুজ্জামান খান, এম.পি

মাননীয় মন্ত্রী

স্বরাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়

গণপ্রজাতন্ত্রী বাংলাদেশ সরকার

বাংলাদেশ সচিবালয়

ঢাকা-১০০০।

ইমেইলঃ minister@mha.gov.bd

বিষয়ঃ গোপালগঞ্জে গভীর রাতে বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় ছাত্রকে পুলিশী নির্যাতনের বিষয়ে যথাযথ তদন্তপূর্বক প্রয়োজনীয় ব্যবস্থা গ্রহণ করা হোক!

Statement : JMBF Strongly Condemns Brutal Murder of Gay Teacher Golam Kibria in Savar, Dhaka

Paris, France: August 20, 2023 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) unequivocally condemns the tragic and heinous murder of Golam Kibria, a gay school teacher and member of the sexual minority community, in Savar, Dhaka, allegedly by the individuals associated with extremist Islamic ideologies.

The organization expresses profound concern over this act of violence and demands an immediate and thorough investigation into the matter. JMBF insists on an impartial and expeditious inquiry, followed by a transparent trial, to ensure that the perpetrators responsible for this grave crime are brought to justice.

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns Harassment and Violence against Chapainawabganj Hijra Community

[Paris, France: August 15, 2023] - JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a human rights organization based in France, expresses deep anguish and concern over the lack of criminal action against the accused individuals responsible for the harassment, demands for housing allowance, and attacks faced by the Hijra community in Chapainawabganj. Despite enduring these issues for two months, no substantial action has been taken against the perpetrators.

Lawyers for Lawyers Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Shahanur Islam and Human Rights Defenders

Lawyers for Lawyers, an international organization dedicated to safeguarding the rights and security of legal professionals, has expressed deep concern over the ongoing harassment faced by prominent Bangladeshi lawyer and human rights defender, Shahanur Islam. This harassment, which has escalated recently, is believed to be a direct consequence of Mr. Islam's dedicated work in defending the rights of ethnic, religious, and sexual minorities in Bangladesh.

Shahanur Islam, a respected lawyer and human rights advocate, has been a steadfast champion for the marginalized communities of Bangladesh since 2008. His work has included offering legal counsel and representation to victims of torture, extrajudicial killings, indigenous peoples, child marriage survivors, victims of domestic abuse, and sexual minorities.