Statement: JMBF Once Again Calls for Removal of Death Penalty Provision in Ansar Battalion Act, 2023

Paris, France; October 25, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), an independent, non-partisan, non-profit human rights organization based in France, expresses deep concern regarding the placement of the Ansar Battalion Act, 2023, with the inclusion of the death penalty provision in the National Parliament of Bangladesh on October 23, 2023. This proposed law imposes the death penalty as the maximum punishment for various offenses, including mutiny and provocation for rebellion.

JMBF is strongly aggrieved by the placement of the bill for the Ansar Battalion Act, 2023, retaining the death penalty as a maximum punishment, despite calls made by various human rights organizations, including JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), to replace the death penalty with a sentence of life imprisonment until the end of natural life.

JMBF reiterates its request for the government to withdraw the bill from the national parliament and reintroduce it after removing the provision for the death penalty, replacing it with a maximum punishment of life imprisonment under the proposed Ansar Battalion Act, 2023.

According to reports in Bangladeshi newspapers, the bill was placed to the National Parliament on October 23, 2023, and it has been referred to the parliamentary standing committee on the Ministry of Home for further review. The committee has been asked to submit its report to the Jatiya Sangsad within three working days, indicating that the bill may be passed in the ongoing 25th national parliament session.

Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), asserts, "The death penalty should not be viewed as the ultimate solution; rather, it results in the loss of an individual's life in the name of justice. In today's world, many nations are shifting away from capital punishment, whereas Bangladesh is considering its inclusion in a new law. This stance directly contradicts fundamental human rights principles."

Advocate Shahanur Islam further emphasizes, "There is no substantial body of evidence to support the idea that the death penalty has a distinctive deterrent effect. Essentially, it is not a more effective deterrent against serious crimes than alternative forms of punishment."

JMBF respectfully urges the standing committee of the Ministry of Home Affairs to reconsider its position and bring it in line with international human rights standards. JMBF calls for a revision of the maximum penalty from death to life imprisonment until the end of natural life, promoting a more humane and equitable approach to criminal justice.

JMBF sincerely hopes that the government will take our concerns into account and take the necessary steps to ensure that the Ansar Battalion Act, 2023, adheres to principles that uphold justice, dignity, and the protection of human rights.

It is worth mentioning that JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) issued a statement on September 5, 2023, expressing significant concerns about the incorporation of the death penalty in the Ansar Battalion Act, 2023. These concerns were raised when the Cabinet approved the proposed bill on September 4, 2023. You can access the complete statement by following this link: https://shahanur.blogspot.com/2023/09/statement-jmbf-expresses-grave-concerns.html

With best regards,

Advocate Shahanur Islam

Founder President

JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)

Email: saikotbihr@gmail.com, contact.jmbf@gmail.com

blog: www.shahanur.blogspot.com, Cell/WhatsUp/Signal: +33 (0)7 83 95 23 15