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.

Statement: JMBF Expresses Deep Concern and Protests against the Arrest of a Hindu Woman in Bagerhat on Allegations of Insulting the Islamic religion

Paris, France; October 7, 2023: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and strong protest regarding the arrest of a Hindu minority woman on allegations of insulting the Islamic religion in Bagerhat, Bangladesh, on September 26, 2023. The human rights organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), also calls for the immediate release of the arrested woman and the withdrawal of the false charges filed against her.

According to reliable sources, on September 24, 2023, in the Ramphal Union of Bagerhat district, a 45-year-old Hindu minority woman named Rupali Das was involved in a verbal altercation with an Islamic woman named Momena Begum when she went to fetch water at a tube well. Momena Begum, with malicious intent, accused Rupali Das of insulting Islam by using offensive language.