Paris, France, August 10, 2023: A shocking and distressing trend of violence against lawyers in Bangladesh has been unveiled by the recently published comprehensive annual report by JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). The report, covering the period from January to December 2022, paints a grim picture of the challenges faced by legal professionals in the country and calls for urgent action to address the alarming situation.
The report, published in Paris, France on August 10, 2023, is a groundbreaking endeavor that sheds light on the disconcerting incidents of violence targeting lawyers in Bangladesh. It is a meticulous documentation of incidents that includes physical attacks, assault, beatings, murder, rape, kidnappings, fabrication of cases, arrests, threats, intimidation, attempted murder, and judicial harassment.
Among the startling statistics revealed in the report, a total of 88 lawyers were reported as victims of violence in 50 separate incidents during 2022. The report highlights a deeply troubling disparity with 82 male lawyers and 6 female lawyers reportedly suffering from various forms of violence. Shockingly, the report brings to light that 9 lawyers were directly associated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and 6 were affiliated with the Bangladesh Awami League (BAL), while the political involvements of other lawyers were not openly recognized.
Tragic outcomes were also documented, with 3 lawyers losing their lives, 16 enduring physical assaults, and 4 narrowly escaping murder attempts. Furthermore, 15 lawyers were arrested and incarcerated, and one was subjected to a harrowing ordeal involving kidnapping, beatings, and extortion through forced posing for nude pictures. The report further exposes that 4 lawyers were suspended from their professional associations, and another lawyer faced judicial harassment. Disturbingly, a lawyer received death threats and encountered intimidation on multiple occasions. Shockingly, one lawyer's experience took a horrifying turn as they allegedly fell victim to rape, reportedly by a senior lawyer.
Beyond physical violence, the report also uncovers a distressing pattern of legal professionals becoming entangled in fabricated criminal cases. A troubling total of 61 lawyers were implicated in 23 such cases. Adding to the concern, 5 lawyers faced accusations under the Digital Security Act for criticizing the activities of the Prime Minister, her family members, and even Prophet Muhammad on social media platforms.
Geographical distribution of the incidents revealed that the challenges were widespread, with 21 incidents occurring in Dhaka, 12 in Rajshahi, 9 in Chittagong, 3 in Sylhet, 2 in Khulna, and one each in Mymensingh, Rangpur, and Barishal divisions.
The report, prepared by JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and disseminated from France in August 2023, serves as a call to action to address the deteriorating situation for lawyers in Bangladesh. It underscores the urgency for all stakeholders, including the government, legal bodies, and civil society, to take immediate and decisive measures to curb the violence and ensure a safe environment for lawyers to carry out their professional duties.
Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), Advocate Shahanur Islam, expressed deep gratitude to network members and development partners for their contributions to the report's outcomes. An appeal for support, including donations, was extended to further the organization's mission of defending human rights, advocating for social justice, and empowering communities.
This report is a testament to JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France's commitment to driving positive change in Bangladesh and beyond, as an independent non-profit, non-partisan human rights organization.
To read the full report please visit the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dt3jwdmoy7cnuqetx2woc/Report-on-Violence-against-Lawyers-in-Bangladesh-2022.pdf?rlkey=s7fetvexnuo9v6l0z5qxrwg15&dl=0
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