Another gay man murdered in Bangladesh. Activists demand justice.
Man in Bangladesh allegedly responded to an unwanted advance by wielding a meat cutter.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses grave concern over the recent tragic and heinous murder of Khairul Islam, a gay man in Dhaka, on the night of Nov. 12, 2023.
JMBF, which advocates for the rights of LGBT people in Bangladesh, urges the government to give exemplary punishment to the alleged culprit through a prompt and fair trial. Additionally, JMBF calls for immediate measures to protect members of the LGBT community and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Because the murder is one of many violent incidents targeting LGBT citizens of Bangladesh, JMBF has partnered with a UK-based human rights research organization in a study of the challenges of LGBTI life in Bangladesh. (See below.)
According to reports from local news media, police recovered Khairul’s bloodied body wrapped in a blanket from the butcher shop where he worked on the night of Nov. 12. One wound was found on his nose, and three wounds made by sharp weapons were discovered on his neck. Initially, investigators had no leads, but later, individuals were arrested on suspicion.
During intensive interrogation, Shahidul Islam, a butcher from a nearby shop, stated that on the day of the incident, Khairul asked him to sleep in his shop. Shahidul agreed, and around 11 o’clock, he says Khairul attempted a homosexual advance. Angered by this, Shahidul says he hit Khairul’s face with a meat cutter from Khairul’s butcher’s box, causing him to fall. Shahidul then struck Khairul’s neck more than three times. After confirming the victim’s death, he allegedly wiped the body with a blanket, placed it in a box, covered Khairul with another blanket, and fled the scene.
Shahanur Islam, the founder of JMBF, urges authorities to stop blaming the victims for incidents of violence or human rights violations against the LGBTQ+ community. He says that the tragic death of Khairul Islam underscores the urgent need for greater protection and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals in society.
Advocate Shahanur Islam says that the murder of Khairul Islam is not an isolated incident in Bangladesh; rather, it is a small part of the ongoing human rights violations, including discrimination, deprivation, torture, kidnapping, and injuries faced by the homosexual minority, which often remains undisclosed due to social stigma. He urges national and international civil society organizations and the media to raise awareness about the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and promote tolerance and acceptance towards them.
Shahanur Islam calls for the immediate constitutional recognition of homosexuality in Bangladesh and the repeal of Section 377 of the Penal Code, which criminalizes homosexual intercourse, as well as the enactment of a Homosexual Protection Act to protect the LGBTQ+ community from discrimination and violence.
ReportOUT and JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France Collaborate to Study LGBTQI Issues in Bangladesh
JMBF is partnering with ReportOUT, a UK-based human rights research organization, in a research project to document LGBTI life in Bangladesh.
The collaborative research initiative aims to amalgamate the research proficiency of ReportOUT with the community engagement and networks of JMBF.
The primary focus of this joint effort is to capture and document the real-life experiences of sexual and gender minorities living in Bangladesh. This endeavor will take the shape of a multifaceted research project, involving a literature review, a comprehensive survey, and the curation of anonymized case studies to illuminate individual stories.
Specifically aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and emphasizing human rights, the survey will be meticulously designed, and the selected focus topics will be collectively determined prior to publication.
ReportOUT, known for its commitment to documenting the experiences of sexual and gender minorities globally, utilizes its research to educate the public, advocate for policy changes, and raise awareness about human rights violations.
This collaborative effort not only signifies a step forward in shedding light on LGBTQI issues but also underscores the power of global partnerships in advocating for human rights and social justice.
