Statement: JusticeMakers Bangladesh Condemns Murder of Gay Islamic Religious Leader in Dhaka

JusticeMakers Bangladesh, a human rights organization in Bangladesh, expresses grave concern over the recent murder of Maulana Jalal Uddin Jalali, a gay Islamic religious leader allegedly stabbed to death in his home in Dhaka on April 20th, 2023.

The rights organisation urges the government to conduct a transparent investigation and ensure a fair trial for the accused, as well as take measures to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.

According to reliable sources, Jalali was stabbed to death by his juvenile assistant, Quarnic Hafiz Hasan Ahmed, who has since been arrested by the police. The accused claimed that he stabbed Jalali after an argument about his pay.

The police were able to arrest Ahmed within two and a half hours of receiving information about the murder, based on a bloodstain clue. The victim's cousin filed a murder case against Ahmed.

Founder Secretary-General of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, Advocate Shahanur Islam, condemns the murder and calls for the safety and security of the LGBTQ+ community in Bangladesh.

He demands that the accused be punished according to the law after a speedy, transparent, and impartial trial that reveals the true reason behind the killing.

In addition, Advocate Shahanur Islam urges the government to stop blaming the victimized gay person for incidents of violence or human rights violations against the LGBTQ+ community.

Moreover, Advocate Shahanur Islam believes that the murder of Jalali is not an isolated incident in Bangladesh and that the homosexual minority is subjected to various human rights violations, including discrimination, deprivation, torture, kidnapping, and injuries.

Furthermore, he calls for constitutional recognition of homosexuals and the repeal of Section 377 of the Penal Code, as well as the enactment of a Homosexual Protection Act to protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination and violence.

Advocate Shahanur Islam also urges civil society organizations and the media to raise awareness about the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and promote tolerance and acceptance towards them.

Lastly, he expresses his solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in Bangladesh and commits to working towards a more inclusive society where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.