The Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE), representing the bars and law societies of 46 countries and over 1 million European lawyers, has taken a firm stance against the continuous threats and harassment faced by lawyer Shahanur Islam and his family in Bangladesh. On July 7, 2023, the CCBE sent a letter to the Prime Minister of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, addressing the grave concerns surrounding the safety of Shahanur Islam.
In the letter, the CCBE highlighted that Shahanur Islam has recently become a target of serious threats on social media due to his courageous advocacy work for LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh. An extremist fake Facebook user, known as "Mon Day," published explicit threats against the lawyer on June 21, 2023. Mon Day called upon various influential individuals and groups, including Bangladesh Ulamae Keram, speakers, responsible imams, khatibs, online activists, Islamic groups, organizations, and writers, to ostracize Shahanur Islam due to his unwavering dedication to LGBTQI+ rights. Furthermore, Mon Day also demanded the banishment of Justice Makers Bangladesh, an organization founded by Shahanur Islam.
The letter highlighted the alarming engagement Mon Day's threats received, with 143 people reacting positively to the post, including likes, and 133 individuals sharing it. Additionally, 41 people made comments in support of Mon Day's harmful intentions. This worrisome development poses a significant threat to the security and well-being of Shahanur Islam and his family, especially considering the previous instances of serious threats, physical assault, and harassment they have endured.
The CCBE emphasized that this is not the first time they have expressed concerns regarding the safety of Shahanur Islam. They had previously written to the Prime Minister, outlining the gravity of the threats, physical assaults, and harassment targeting the lawyer.
In light of the distressing situation, the CCBE respectfully urged the Prime Minister to take all necessary measures to ensure the adequate protection of lawyer Shahanur Islam and his family. The CCBE firmly believes that these threats stem from Shahanur Islam's legitimate activities as a human rights lawyer. Furthermore, they called for a thorough and impartial investigation into these threats, with the aim of holding those responsible accountable in accordance with international standards. Additionally, the CCBE emphasized that all lawyers should be able to carry out their professional duties without fear of reprisal, hindrance, intimidation, or harassment to safeguard the independence, integrity, and administration of justice.
The international legal community is closely monitoring the developments in Bangladesh, emphasizing the urgent need for swift action to protect Shahanur Islam and uphold the principles of human rights and the rule of law. The CCBE's plea for action serves as a reminder of the global responsibility to defend and support human rights defenders in their tireless pursuit of justice.
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