STATEMENT: JMBF Urges Reconsideration of Removal Decision of "Sharifa's Tale" from Bangladeshi Textbooks

 Paris, France; July 03, 2024: France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has expressed deep concern and disappointment over the recent decision by the Education Ministry of Bangladesh to remove "Sharifa's Tale" from the History and Social Science textbook for seventh-grade students.

JMBF urges the Bangladesh government, particularly the Education Ministry and the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), to reconsider this decision and call for a revision of the narrative to address any identified inconsistencies while preserving the essence of the story.

BANGLADESH: JMBF Urges Immediate Release of Arrested Two Homosexual Youths in Chuadanga

Paris, France; June 28, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned over the recent arrest of two homosexual youths, Enayet Ullah and Sabuj Hossain, on charges of same-sex marriage by the Jibannagar police in Chuadanga on June 22, 2024. The France-based rights organization demands the immediate release of both youths, the dropping of all charges against them, and calls for steps to protect the rights and dignity of all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation.

According to news published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, JMBF has learned that on June 22, 2024, Saturday, at 12:30 pm, Enayet Ullah (25) and Sabuj Hossain (24) were arrested by the Jibannagar police on charges of same-sex marriage from Hariharnagar in the border union of Jibannagar upazila, Chuadanga. Enayet Ullah is the son of Abdul Majid of Harihannagar village, and Sabuj Hossain is the son of Alauddin of Kushadanga village of Swaruppur union in the neighboring Maheshpur upazila under Jhenaidah district.

JMBF Founder Shahanur Presents Paper on LGBTQI+ Challenges in Bangladesh in Vienna, Austria

Advocate Shahanur Islam, the founder of the Justice Makers Bangladesh Foundation (JMBF), presented a pivotal paper titled "Mapping LGBTQI+ Challenges in Bangladesh: A Media Analysis 2023" at the 6th World Conference on Social Sciences Studies (#3SCONF). The conference, held from June 20-22, 2024, in Vienna, Austria, brought together leading scholars, activists, and practitioners to discuss pressing social science issues.

Islam’s presentation highlighted the systematic monitoring and analysis of media portrayals and coverage of LGBTQI+ issues in Bangladesh throughout 2023. The paper underscored the significant challenges faced by the LGBTQI+ community in a socio-political landscape marked by conservative attitudes and legal constraints.

JMBF Founder Shahanur Islam Speaks at Geneva Event on Gender, Justice, and Refugee Law

 Advocate Shahanur Islam, the founder and president of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), delivered a compelling speech today at the 2024 NGO Consultations Side Event titled "Gender, Justice, and the Law: Legal and Practical Challenges for Refugees," held at the Geneva International Conference Centre on 10 June 2024. The event focused on the critical issue of access to legal services for women, girls, and LGBTQI+ refugees.

This side event was organized by PILnet, the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), St. Andrews Refugee Service (StARS), and members of the legal community. It aimed to share knowledge and best practices on addressing the legal and practical challenges faced by refugees, particularly in the context of gender justice.

BANGLADESH: JMBF and SIL Express Deep Concern Over Recommendation to Remove 'Sharifa's Tale' from Seventh-Grade Textbook

Paris, France: France-based human rights organizations JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and Solidarity International LGBTQI+ (SIL) express deep concern over the recent recommendation by the expert committee formed by the Ministry of Education of Bangladesh to remove "Sharifa's Tale" from the seventh-grade social science textbook.

JMBF and SIL strongly urge the Ministry of Education to reject this recommendation from the biased committee. Instead, they call for the formation of a new committee led by a Justice of the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court. This new committee should include education specialists, social scientists, and members of civil society to thoroughly investigate the content in question.

According to a report published in Daily Prothom Alo on May 17, 2024, the high-level expert committee of the Ministry of Education submitted its report recommending the removal of "Sharifa's Tale" from the chapter on similarities and differences between people in the seventh-grade history and social science books. The committee cited various inaccuracies as reasons for their recommendation. The Ministry of Education is now considering its next steps.

JMBF Attends International Conference on Combatting LGBTphobia in Paris

 Paris, May 18, 2024- On May 17, 2024, the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs hosted a significant conference dedicated to advancing the rights and protections for LGBT+ individuals globally. The International Day Against LGBTphobia conference, held at the Quai d’Orsay, attracted a diverse array of human rights advocates and legal experts who addressed the urgent need for the universal decriminalization of homosexuality.

Among the notable attendees was Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder and President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF). Islam, a prominent figure in the fight for LGBT+ rights in Bangladesh, contributed significantly to the discussions at the conference.

PRESS RELEASE: JMBF Releases Groundbreaking Annual State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023

Paris, France - May 17, 2024 - JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) proudly announces the release of the "Annual Report on the State of LGBTQI+ Rights in Bangladesh 2023," coinciding with the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia. This day serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing global struggle for LGBTQI+ rights and underscores the importance of collective action in combating discrimination and prejudice.

This report, following the groundbreaking inaugural edition in 2022, represents a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and advancements in LGBTQI+ rights in Bangladesh. It acknowledges that the documented incidents may not fully represent the actual number and types of abuses against LGBT individuals in Bangladesh, as many incidents go unreported due to social stigma and unacceptability.

Compiled by JMBF through rigorous monitoring of news media and analysis, the report covers developments in LGBTQI+ rights from January to December 2023. It provides a detailed examination of the legal, social, and cultural landscape impacting LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh, highlighting both progress and persistent challenges.

Transgender Individual Found Dead in Apparent Suicide in Gazipur

In a tragic incident on April 17, 2023, the lifeless body of Abdul Mannan Ananya (22), a transgender individual, was discovered hanging in a rented house in Gazipur's Sreepur area. The distressing occurrence unfolded within Dhanua village of Sreepur upazila in Gazipur.

Abdul Mannan Ananya, the deceased, hailed from Dakshin Bartopa village of Mauna Union in Sripur Upazila, being the son of Nurul Amin. He had been residing on rent in the residence of Tofazzal Hossain, a resident of Dhanua village.

Bangladesh: JMBF and SIL Express Strong Concern Over the Recent Arrest of Two Lesbian Individuals in Tangail

 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).

Can we evade accountability for the death of transgender model Radia Teherin Utsha?

On Monday, April 22, 2024, Radia Teherin Utsha, a 19-year-old transgender model, tragically ended her life by jumping from the sixth-floor roof of Byatikram Mahila Hostel in Mirpur, Dhaka. Radia, a student in the honors first year at Mirpur Bangla College, took this drastic step.

The recent suicides of transgender individuals in Bangladesh, including Radia Tehrin Uthso who tragically took her own life, serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for societal change. These heartbreaking losses highlight the profound challenges faced by transgender people in our country, challenges that demand immediate attention and decisive action from all sectors of society.

The young woman was seriously injured after leaping from the female hostel located at Mahua Manzil, Mirpur-10. Despite efforts to save her, Radia succumbed to her injuries at the emergency department of Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital. It has been revealed that Radia had been concealing her transgender identity during her six-month stay at the hostel.

JMBF deeply mourns the recent tragic suicidal death of transgender model Radia Teherin Utsha in Dhaka.

Paris, France; April 23, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) deeply mourns the tragic suicidal death of transgender model Radia Teherin Utsha in Dhaka on April 22, 2024. JMBF believes that Radia Teherin Utsha's death is a sobering reminder of the human cost of prejudice and discrimination. We should honor her memory by redoubling our efforts to create a society where all people are treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their gender identity.

JMBF learned from its reliable sources that Radia Teherin Utsha, a 19-year-old transgender model, tragically ended her life by jumping from the sixth-floor roof of Byatikram Mahila Hostel in Mirpur, Dhaka. Radia, a student in the honors first year at Mirpur Bangla College, took this drastic step on April 22, Monday, around 8:00 PM.

Statement: JMBF Condemns Detention of Lesbian Couple in Bagerhat, Bangladesh

Paris, France; March 16, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expressed profound concern regarding the recent detention of a married lesbian couple by the Mongla police station in Bargethat. The detention followed a homophobic local public protest against the couple's expression of their sexual orientation and their marriage on April 13, 2024.

The France-based rights organization is deeply troubled by the police's actions in detaining the couple for 24 hours solely because of their decision to marry as a same-sex couple. JMBF views this incident as a blatant violation of the couple's constitutional rights and their dignity.

JMBF and SIL Join Forces at Salon De Association LGBT+ in Paris, France

 JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) and Solidarity International LGBTQI (SIL) recently collaborated to participate in the Salon De Association LGBT+ organized by the Inter LGBT in Paris, France, on April 7 and 8, 2024.

Representatives including Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF, Robert Simon, President of SIL, WHITNEY ANTHONY, and Hervé CALDO, Board member of SIL, were present at the event on behalf of their respective organizations amongst others.

The highlight of their joint participation was the establishment of an information booth, where JMBF and SIL showcased an array of educational materials, informational resources, and communication tools. This booth served as a hub for engaging with attendees, disseminating crucial information, and fostering dialogue on LGBTQI rights, activism, and advocacy efforts.

Statement: JMBF Strongly Condemns Conviction of Transgender Individuals in Dhaka, Demands Immediate Release

Paris, France; April 7, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the recent conviction and imprisonment of five individuals from the transgender/third gender/hijra community on charges of extortion and public disturbance at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka, on April 6, 2024.

France-based Rights Organization JMBF believes that this action, aimed at the sexual minority transgender/hijra/third gender community, will exacerbate the marginalization of an already vulnerable group in society and perpetuate harmful stereotypes, failing to address the root causes of their alleged behavior and activities.

Statement: JMBF Condemns Brutal Murder of Transgender Reshma Khatun, Calls for Swift Action and Legal Reforms

Paris, France; April 03, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over the brutal murder of Reshma Khatun (25), a third-gender individual, whose decomposed body was discovered in March 2024 in the Kagajpukur graveyard of Benapole Port Police Station in Jessore, Bangladesh.

The France-based rights organization calls for the swift identification and apprehension of those responsible for this heinous act through a prompt, impartial, and transparent investigation, followed by exemplary punishment after a fair trial.

According to news published in various newspapers in Bangladesh, it has been learned that the police recovered the decomposed body of Reshma Khatun (25), a third gender individual, from the Kagajpukur graveyard of Benapole Port Police Station in Jessore.

STATEMENT: JMBF is gravely concerned about the detention of four lesbian girls in Manikganj and Natore by the homophobic public.

Paris, France; March 20, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) is gravely concerned and aggrieved about the recent detention of four lesbian girls in Manikganj and Natore districts by the homophobic public, respectively on March 09 and February 23, 2024, due to expressing their sexual orientation and willingness to get married.

The France-based rights organization, JMBF, considers their detention and handing over to the police by the homophobic public, due to the expression of same-sex relationships and willingness to get married, clear violations of their fundamental human rights and dignity.

JMBF urges the concerned authorities to take immediate action against those homophobic individuals involved in such heinous incidents of interfering with personal lives and privacy.

According to reports from various online newspapers in Bangladesh, on March 9, 2023, two lesbian women were detained by local residents in Singair, under the Manikganj district.

STATEMENT: JMBF Strongly Condemns the Arrest of Two Lesbian Girls in Satkhira

Paris, France; March 12, 2024: The France-based rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and outrage over the recent arrest of two lesbian individuals from Satkhira on January 04, 2024. These arrests, which occurred solely based on the girls' sexual orientation and their same-sex relationship, are a grave violation of their rights and dignity.

According to reports from various online newspapers in Bangladesh, the two lesbian teenagers were apprehended from the Brajabaksa area of Helatla Union in Kalaroa Upazila on January 4, 2024, by the members of the Kalaroa Police Station. One of the arrested girls is Mahima Khatun (17), daughter of Abdul Mannan from Idanpur village in the Doara Bazar police station of Sunamganj district, and the other is Rubina Khatun (18), daughter of Anisur Rahman from Brajbaksa village in Helatla Union of Kalaroa Upazila in Satkhira.

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns Discriminatory Actions Against LGBT Individuals by Major Political Parties in Bangladesh

Paris, France; February 26, 2024: The France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern over recent discriminatory actions against transgender and homosexual individuals, as well as the propagation of hate speech against homosexuality in Bangladesh by major political parties, including the ruling party Bangladesh Awami League, the main opposition party Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatio Party, and the Islamic-religion-based political party Islami Andolon Bangladesh.

According to reports published in various Bangladeshi newspapers, on February 4th, the Opposition Chief Whip of the National Parliament in Bangladesh and Jatiya Party General Secretary, Mujibul Haque Chunnu, demanded the removal of two lines from a seventh-grade textbook, claiming they were controversial with Islam. He argued that the inclusion of transgenderism in the textbook was solely aimed at creating social chaos by undermining traditional social values. 

STATEMENT: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) Condemns Arrest of Lesbian Individual in Dhaka

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.

Human Rights Lawyer Addresses LGBTQI+ Violence in Bangladesh at International Conference in Paris

In a stirring address at the International Conference on Persecution of LGBT+ people held at Gaîté Lyrique, Paris, Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi Human Rights lawyer and Founder President of JusticeMaker Bangladesh in France (JMBF), shed light on the harrowing reality faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh. 

The conference, jointly organized by esteemed organizations including the Association for the Universal Decriminalization of Homosexuality (ADUH), ILGA World, Egides, Stop Homophobia, and LGBT International Solidarity on 6th February 2024, provided a platform for advocates and activists to discuss and address the global panorama of violence against the LGBTQI+ community.

Shahanur Islam's presentation delved into the findings of a media monitoring report on violence against LGBTQI+ people in Bangladesh throughout 2022, painting a stark picture of the challenges faced by this marginalized community. According to the report, a total of 204 LGBTQI+ individuals were subjected to significant violence across 51 incidents, ranging from killings and physical assaults to psychological abuse, attempted suicides, and various forms of harassment and extortion.