Paris, France; February 20, 2024: The France-based rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern and anger over the arrest of a sexual minority lesbian girl from Dhaka, who has been arrested and sent to jail custody on false and fabricated kidnapping charges in Barishal, solely because of her sexual orientation and same-sex relationship.
According to news published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, Mim Akhter, the daughter of Sahidul Islam from Bahadurpur village in Muladi upazila of Barisal, fell in love with Rober Liza, a jim trainer and a former cricket player of the National Women's Cricket Team of Bangladesh. Later, she divorced her husband, as she was forced into marriage by her parents about five years ago. On January 25, 2024, she finally ran away with her girlfriend, Rober Liza, for the third time after repeated attempts and married her. However, her girlfriend, Rober Liza, was arrested in the kidnapping case filed by her mother. Police arrested her girlfriend, Rober Liza, along with her from Dhaka on February 12, 2024.
Madame Begum Sumaiya Rizvi Maury, the learned Magistrate of Barishal, sent Rober Liza to jail custody when they were produced in the Barisal Senior Judicial Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, February 13, 2024, and Mim was sent to a safe home when she objected to leaving her girlfriend Liza and going with her family.
Mim's sister, Fatima, said that her sister fell in love with Rober Liza, the daughter of Mozammel Haque from Islam Manzil residing at Sankar Zafarbad 283/1, Hazaribagh area of Dhaka, after being introduced to her on Facebook. Since then, Mim would not agree to marry any boy. As Rober Liza promised that she would marry her sister Liza, Mim divorced her husband whom she had married five years ago. A few days ago, Liza went to visit Mim's house. A few days later, Mim ran away with Liza. Then, Mim was rescued with the help of the police, but they planned to escape again for the second time, but that time they failed.
Finally, on January 25, 2024, Mim ran away with Liza again. In this incident, Mim's mother Jiachmin became the plaintiff and filed a case with the help of the court accusing six people, including Liza, at Muladi police station under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000, accusing them of kidnapping her daughter. In that case, Liza was arrested along with Mim from Dhaka on February 12. Mim Akhter's family claims that Liza kept their daughter unconscious by injecting her. When asked why she would go with Liza, Mim used to give unusual answers, said her brother Naeem Hossain.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and prominent Bangladeshi lawyer and human rights activist, demands the immediate and unconditional release of the lesbian individuals from jail and safe custody, alongside the withdrawal of the false charges. He emphasizes the need for a swift and impartial investigation into the matter.
JMBF asserts that such actions, driven by prejudice and discrimination against sexual minorities, constitute a clear violation of fundamental human rights as declared by the United Nations. This incident is not an isolated one in Bangladesh but reflects a larger pattern of human rights violations against sexual minorities, including discrimination, violence, and false accusations, across the nation.
Moreover, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France urges for the constitutional recognition of homosexuals and LGBT people in Bangladesh. It calls for the repeal of Section 377 of the Penal Code and the enactment of laws to protect the rights and dignity of individuals within the homosexual community.
This arrest serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle against discrimination and injustice faced by sexual minorities. JMBF stands in solidarity with all those affected and remains committed to advocating for justice, equality, and human rights for all individuals, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Best Regards,
Advocate Shahanur Islam
Founder President
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Email: saikotbihr@gmail.com,
Cell/WhatsUp/Signal: +33(0)7 839523 15
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