Activists call for justice after gay man murdered in Bangladesh
Gay school teacher was murdered at home by alleged Islamic extremists
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France, a human rights advocacy group, has issued the following statement in response to the murder of a gay man by alleged Islamic extremists in Dhaka:
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) unequivocally condemns the tragic and heinous murder of Golam Kibria, a gay school teacher and member of the sexual minority community, in Savar, Dhaka, allegedly by individuals associated with extremist Islamic ideologies.
The organization expresses profound concern over this act of violence and demands an immediate and thorough investigation into the matter. JMBF insists on an impartial and expeditious inquiry, followed by a transparent trial, to ensure that the perpetrators responsible for this grave crime are brought to justice.
As reported by multiple credible sources, it is alleged that Islamist extremists were involved in the murder of 42-year-old Golam Kibria. A note found at the crime scene, attributed to the extremists, was addressed to the police and revealed the motive behind this gruesome act: the victim’s sexual orientation.
On August 20th, at approximately 3pm, Golam Kibria’s lifeless body was discovered at his residence in Vatpara, of Savar Municipality. His hands and legs were bound, and his mouth was gagged with a cloth. The local police promptly arranged for a postmortem examination.
The note left by the perpetrators explicitly indicated their involvement and cited the victim’s sexual orientation as the reason for his brutal murder. They claimed that his sexual orientation contradicted their beliefs and rationalized their actions as a defense of their religious principles.
Kibria, a retired teacher from Savar Model School, had been providing private tutoring to students since his retirement.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, the Founder President of JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), vehemently denounces the killing and calls for immediate measures to ensure the safety and rights of the LGBTQ+ Community in Bangladesh.
Furthermore, Shahanur Islam emphasizes that this incident is not an isolated occurrence but rather emblematic of the broader human rights violations faced by the LGBTQ+ community within the country.
Mr. Islam also underscores that the tragic death of Golam Kibria underscores the urgent need for greater protection and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in society. He demands that those accountable face exemplary punishment, sending a clear message that such acts of brutality will not go unpunished.
He also highlights the distressing reality that LGBTQ+ individuals across Bangladesh continue to endure systemic discrimination, violence, and blatant human rights abuses. As a step towards rectifying this, he urges the government to consider enacting comprehensive legislation that provides protection for LGBTQ+ rights, including the repeal of Section 377 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes same-sex intimacy.
JMBF remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for justice, upholding human rights, and empowering the LGBTQ+ community in Bangladesh and around the world. The organization fervently calls for a world where discrimination and violence are eradicated, ensuring that every individual can live with dignity and equality.
