Subject: Clarification Regarding Application Status for Summer School on EU Law and Policy Dear Nicole Bosmans, I hope this email finds you well. Thank you for acknowledging my application for the Summer School on European Union Law and Policy on Immigration and Asylum. I appreciate the opportunity to provide clarification regarding my chosen status as "Other Status" in the application form. As a refugee from Bangladesh currently residing in France, I opted for this category to accurately reflect my unique circumstances. While I do not fall directly under the traditional categories listed in the application form, I believe that my background and experiences offer a valuable perspective on immigration and asylum issues, particularly within the context of EU law and policy. Considering my circumstances as a citizen of a developing country and a refugee living in France, I am respectfully requesting your assistance in securing a full scholarship to cover all expenses related to attending the summer school. This would include travel, accommodation, meals, and any other incidental costs associated with participation. I am eager to engage in discussions, learn from esteemed experts, and contribute to the dialogue on these critical topics during the summer school. Please let me know if any further information or documentation is required to support my application. Thank you once again for considering my application, and I look forward to the opportunity to participate in the summer school. Sincerely yours, M. Shahanur Islam

 In a significant move towards advancing SOGIE rights in Bangladesh, JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBD) Founder President, Advocate Shahanur Islam, engaged in a fruitful dialogue with France's Ambassador for LGBT, Jean Marc Berthon, on April 2, 2024, at the ambassador's office.

Advocate Shahanur initiated the dialogue by shedding light on the current state of sexual minority rights in Bangladesh, particularly addressing prevalent misinformation campaigns targeting transgender individuals. One focal point of discussion was the concerning issue of transgender inclusion in school textbooks in Bangladesh, highlighting the urgent need for accurate representation and education on transgender issues.

Quarterly Newsletter of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (January-March 2024)

As we embark on a new year filled with hope and determination, I am thrilled to present the inaugural edition of our Quarterly Newsletter covering the period from January to March 2024. Within these pages, we capture the tireless efforts and remarkable achievements of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF).

The beginning of 2024 has brought forth significant milestones for our organization. From advocating for the rights of marginalized communities to promoting social justice initiatives, JMBF has remained steadfast in its commitment to defending human rights and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond.

STATEMENT: JMBF Condemns BSF Killings of Bangladeshi Civilians: Calls for Urgent International Action

Paris, France: March 27, 2024 - Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses profound concern and vehement protest over the recent shooting deaths of three unarmed Bangladeshi citizens and the injuring of another by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) within the past two weeks.

The JMBF, a human rights organization based in France, strongly condemns these egregious acts of violence perpetrated against innocent civilians along the India-Bangladesh border. These incidents represent a blatant violation of human rights, and as such, demand immediate attention and action from the international community.

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.