Academic in Bangladesh barred from teaching in response to anti-gay protesters
Pro-Islamist students burn teacher in effigy.
An assistant professor at Islamic University in Kushtia, Bangladesh, has been barred from teaching classes in response to pro-Islamist students’ protests that he is gay.
Protesting students burned an effigy of Asst. Prof. Hafizul Islam at the main gate of the university and demanded his resignation.
The LGBTQ rights advocacy group JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) called the university’s action “a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and academic freedom”.
The school formed a five-member committee to investigate students’ allegations, the newspaper Ajker Patrika reported,
It quoted one student saying “The students of the department have been harassed mentally. He supports homosexuality. Many students have been invited to his home. … We want his expulsion.” Students also say Hafizul frequently makes disparaging comments about the appearance of female students.
Hafizul, who is a member of the Development Studies Department at Islamic University, has long been a target of pro-Islamist student protesters, JMBF said.
JMGB issued this statement about the Hafizul decision:
JMBF Strongly Condemns the Refraining of Professor from All Academic Activities at Islamic University, Kushtia, Due to Sexual Orientation
Paris, France; October 26, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) vehemently condemns the recent decision to refrain Assistant Professor Hafizul Islam of the Development Studies Department at Islamic University, Kushtia, from all departmental activities, including teaching, due to allegations of homosexuality made on October 23, 2023.
The actions of the university authorities, including barring him from all departmental activities, represent a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and academic freedom. Such actions perpetuate discrimination, intolerance, and fear, contradicting the principles of human dignity and equality.
JMBF calls for the immediate withdrawal of this decision to refrain Hafizul Islam and a thorough review of this incident by the university administration, urging them to uphold the values of inclusion, non-discrimination, and human rights.
Robert Simon, a prominent French LGBTQI+ rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF, strongly criticized the decision, stating, “Refraining a faculty member from all forms of academic activities based solely on perceived sexual orientation is an act of deep discrimination and injustice. It violates the very essence of human rights, as well as the fundamental freedoms of thought, conscience, and expression. Academic institutions should be havens for diversity and intellectual freedom, not places of exclusion and prejudice. We cannot allow such discriminatory actions to stand unchallenged.”
The decision to refrain Professor Hafizul Islam from his duties is particularly concerning, as it appears to be influenced by pressure from certain pro-Islamic student groups, allegedly backed by the radical Islamic political party that has gained influence since the establishment of the interim government led by Nobel laureate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
This case sets a dangerous precedent and contradicts the fundamental principles of human rights as recognized by international law, reflecting a disturbing trend of intolerance that has no place in any academic institution or democratic society.
Advocate Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and the Founder-President of JMBF, emphasized, “This incident is not only an attack on one individual but an assault on the values of freedom and justice that Bangladesh aspires to uphold. A university should be a space for learning and inclusivity, not a place where individuals are persecuted for their identity or perceived differences. We demand the immediate reinstatement of Professor Hafizul Islam and a fair, impartial investigation free from any bias or external pressure.”
JMBF believes that the decision to refrain Hafizul Islam from all academic activities is not only legally questionable but also morally wrong. It violates the principles of justice and equality enshrined in both international human rights law and Bangladesh’s constitution.
JMBF calls on the international community, including the United Nations, the European Union, and local foreign embassies in Bangladesh, to take a stand against such blatant discrimination and human rights violations.
We urge these institutions to advocate for the protection of academic freedom and the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh. We also call on them to engage with the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure a thorough, unbiased review of this incident, emphasizing respect for human dignity and adherence to international human rights standards.
JMBF also calls upon the Bangladeshi government and relevant authorities to take a strong stand against any form of discrimination based on sexual orientation and to ensure that educational institutions remain safe and inclusive for all students and staff.
JMBF will continue to monitor this situation closely and stand in solidarity with Hafizul Islam and all individuals in Bangladesh facing persecution due to their sexual orientation. We reaffirm our commitment to fighting for equality, justice, and the fundamental rights of all people, regardless of their identity.
