JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a France-based human rights organization, expresses its deep concern and strong protest over the recent politically motivated and arbitrary arrests and detention of five respected lawyers, as well as the filing of false cases against twelve others in various districts of Bangladesh—namely Barguna, Satkhira, Gazipur, Bogura, and Gopalganj—solely for carrying out their professional duties and holding differing political opinions.
JMBF firmly believes that targeting lawyers solely because of their professional conduct or political beliefs constitutes a clear and blatant violation of the fundamental human rights enshrined by the United Nations.
According to JMBF’s reliable sources and reports published in various national newspapers:
- 30 July 2025: Advocate Arif Ul Hasan, a respected member of the Barguna District Bar Association, was arrested without any warrant or pending case.
- 23 July 2025: Advocate Sheikh Nizam Uddin, former Additional Public Prosecutor of Satkhira, and Advocate Wahiduzzaman were sent to jail in a politically motivated case.
- 5 July 2025: Advocate Ziaul Hasan Swapon, a member of the Gazipur District Bar Association, was arrested by Tongi East Police.
- 30 June 2025: Advocate Saidur Rahman, a respected member of the Bogura District Bar Association, was arrested in a politically motivated sabotage case.
- 22 July 2025: A case was filed against twelve lawyers, including MM Nasir Ahmed, President of the Gopalganj District Bar Association, and General Secretary M. Julkader Rahman.
Robert Simon, Chief Advisor of JMBF and a renowned French human rights defender, stated:“An independent judiciary is essential for upholding the rule of law and human rights. By repeatedly filing false cases and arresting lawyers to obstruct their participation in legal proceedings, the Bangladeshi government is creating an unprecedented dark chapter. This is a direct violation of international human rights law. The international community must take firm action against such injustice.”
Advocate Shahinur Islam, Founding President of JMBF and prominent human rights lawyer, added: “Ensuring the safety and freedom of lawyers is the cornerstone of any justice system. If lawyers cannot perform their duties in a secure environment, how can the people expect to receive justice? The current government appears to be systematically arresting and harassing lawyers to prevent them from defending accused individuals and to freely punish political opponents. This is eroding public trust in the judicial system. We urge the government and relevant authorities to immediately end such persecution and work toward restoring democracy and the rule of law in Bangladesh.”
JMBF believes that these actions are in clear violation of international human rights standards, particularly the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (1990), including:
- Principle 16: Governments shall ensure that lawyers (a) are able to perform all of their professional functions without intimidation, hindrance, harassment, or improper interference; (b) are able to travel and consult freely with their clients; and (c) shall not suffer, or be threatened with, prosecution or other sanctions for any action taken in accordance with recognized professional duties, standards, and ethics.
- Principle 17: Where the security of lawyers is threatened as a result of discharging their functions, authorities shall adequately safeguard them.
- Principle 18: Lawyers shall not be identified with their clients or their clients’ causes as a result of discharging their functions.
- Principle 19: No court or administrative authority shall deny a lawyer’s right to appear on behalf of a client unless that lawyer has been lawfully disqualified.
- Principle 20: Lawyers shall enjoy civil and penal immunity for statements made in good faith in legal proceedings or court appearances.
JMBF Demands the Following:
- Immediate release of all unlawfully arrested lawyers and withdrawal of all politically motivated charges against them.
- Assurance of lawyers' safety in accordance with the UN Basic Principles on the Role of Lawyers (1990), including the enactment and effective enforcement of a Lawyer Protection Act.
- Formation of a judicial investigation committee led by a High Court judge to conduct an impartial probe into these arbitrary arrests and fabricated cases, followed by appropriate legal action against those responsible.
- Provision of medical and psychological support, along with adequate compensation to the affected lawyers and their families. Legal guarantees must also be provided to ensure they are not subjected to further harassment.
JMBF urges international human rights organizations, democratic states, and the global legal community to raise a united voice against these injustices and to play an active role in defending judicial independence and human rights in Bangladesh.
Copyright: Fresh Angle International (www.freshangleng.com)
ISSN 2354 - 4104
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