Global Human Rights Defence, Urges Immediate Action for Legal Representation and Justice for Religious and Ethnic Minorities in Bangladesh
Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD), a coalition of Barristers,Solicitors,and Advocates committed to safe guard the human rights and dignity of Bangladesh’s religious and ethnic minorities, has petitioned the Hon’ble Chief Advisor and the Head of the caretaker government in Bangladesh,Professor Muhammad Yunus for legal representation, protection and justice for the suffering minorities in the country.
The petition,addressed directly to Professor Yunus, highlights the Forum’s grave concerns over escalating violence, human rights violations, and systematic discrimination targeting minorities in Bangladesh since 5 August 2024. The Forum has documented widespread attacks, hateful rhetoric, and the silencing of minority voices through state-sponsored harassment and judicial misconduct.
A particularly distressing case cited is that of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu monk and social reformer. Das has been imprisoned under fabricated charges and denied his right to legal representation. The Forum underscores that the treatment of Das and other sviolates both the Constitution of Banglades hand international human rights norms, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
In their detailed petition ,the Forum out lined the following demands and recommendations:
1. Allowing Chinmoy Krishna Das and other detained minority individuals access to legal representation of their choice.
2. Provision of state-funded legal aid by experienced criminal law practitioners,if independent representation is denied.
3. Granting Forum members rights of audience in Bangladesh to represent vulnerable minority persons and facilitating the addition of foreign lawyers as necessary.
4. Ensuring the safety and protection of Forum members,their families,and associates when they visit Bangladesh.
5. Immediate with drawal of politically motivated and fabricated cases against minority leaders, activists, and lawyers.
6. Action against those who harassed minority lawyers and activists, including proper over sight by the Bangladesh Bar Council to uphold the legal profession’s dignity and integrity.
The petition stresses that inaction would further erode the rule of law, exacerbate tensions, and deepen mistrust among minority communities, jeopardizing Bangladesh’s constitutional values of secularism, equality, and justice.
The Forum warns that failure to address these urgent concerns will compel them to escalate the matter to United Nations bodies and other international organizations.
Statement from the Forum Representatives:
“Bangladesh was founded on principles of secularism and justice, which demand the protection of all its citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnicity. The interim government must act decisively to uphold these values and ensure justice and equality for all.” For further information about the petition please contact:
● Tridib Deb, Barrister-at-Law, UK
● Sonjoy Roy, Barrister-at-Law, UK