Paris, France; April 30, 2024: France-based rights organizations JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and Solidarity International LGBTQI (SIL) jointly express profound concern and outrage over the recent arrest of two lesbian individuals from Tangail, Bangladesh, on April 21, 2024, due to their sexual orientation and same-sex relationship.
JMBF and SIL believe the arrest of the two lesbian women, who wished to marry, is a grave violation of their fundamental human rights and dignity as declared in the Constitution of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
JMBF and SIL learned from reports published in several news media outlets in Bangladesh that on Sunday, April 21st, 2024, the Gopalpur police station in Tangail arrested two young women, Asha Sinha (16), and Liza Akhter (18), on charges of disturbing public order. The following afternoon, April 22nd, the Gopalpur police station referred them to the Tangail district court after filing a prosecution against them.
Asha Sinha, a 16-year-old homosexual girl enrolled in the ninth grade at a madrasa in Tangail, connected with Liza Akhter, an 18-year-old homosexual girl attending a madrasa in Kishoreganj, through Facebook. Their relationship deepened through prolonged conversations on the platform, leading them to fall in love. Eventually, they made the decision to marry.
In August of the previous year, Liza visited Asha's home in Tangail, and they spent the night together. Then, on April 18, 2024, Liza returned to Asha's residence, and they began living together in a vicinity near the Gopalpur Upazila Health Complex, posing as garment workers. However, their presence raised suspicions among locals, who subsequently alerted the police.
Upon questioning by the police on Sunday, April 21st, both Asha and Liza admitted to their romantic relationship and expressed their desire to marry. Asha, from Tangail, stated that they love each other deeply and are determined to marry despite societal judgments. She explained that they had fled from their families, as they were not accepting of their relationship, and were now living together in defiance of societal norms.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF, underscores the importance of respecting individuals' personal lives and demands the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all charges brought against them, as well as calls for an end to police and judicial interference in such matters immediately.
Robert Simon, President of SIL, asserts that the arrest of the two lesbian girls in Bangladesh represents a broader pattern of human rights abuses against sexual minorities in Bangladesh, including discrimination, violence, and baseless accusations. He demands an end to all violations against LGBT people in Bangladesh.
JMBF and SIL believe that the arrest of two lesbian girls in Bangladesh is not an isolated incident but rather a common part of the ongoing violation and discrimination perpetuated against LGBTQI people in Bangladesh. They urge the government of Bangladesh to stop all forms of homophobic violations in the country.
JMBF and SIL demand the decriminalization of homosexuality in Bangladesh, the repeal of Section 377 of the Penal Code, as well as constitutional recognition of homosexuals in Bangladesh. They also demand the enactment of laws to safeguard the rights and dignity of individuals within the LGBTQ+ community.
JMBF and SIL stand in solidarity with the arrested lesbian girls including all those affected and reaffirm their commitment to advocating for justice, equality, and human rights for all individuals, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity in Bangladesh and globally.
Thank you.
Advocate Shahanur Islam
President,JMBF
Email: saikotbihr@gmail.com
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