Three men charged with killing gay teacher in Bangladesh
Repression by anti-LGBT forces continues under new regime
Three homophobic Bangladeshi men have been charged with murdering a gay kindergarten teacher last month in the midst of an argument about homosexuality.
The killing of Sujan Ali occurred in the context of an ongoing fundamentalist crackdown on educators in Bangladesh considered to be pro-LGBT.
Extremist violence, including anti-gay activity, has surged after a new regime led by Muhammad Yunus took power in August, according to the LGBTQI+ rights advocacy group JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF).
The Sujan Ali murder “underscores the urgent need for greater protection, understanding, and legal safeguarding for LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh and beyond,” JMBF said.
According to JMBF:
On the night of Oct. 6, Sujan Ali got into an argument about homosexuality with three individuals in a nursery school room in the Jibon Nagar district, Meherpur, near the India border. During the argument, they struck him on the head with an iron rod, resulting in his death. They later buried the body.
Within three weeks, police arrested Abdur Razzak, Mojibur Rahman and Mohiuddin, son of the late Amin Uddin, and charged them with the murder.
Police found the three men after a partially decomposed body was recovered from the edge of the bill on Oct. 26. The family identified it as Sujan after seeing a rod attached to the body’s hand. Following this discovery, Abdur Razzak fled to Jessore, about 100 kilometers away. He was arrested there. Based on the information that he provided to police during his interrogation, Mojibur Rahman and Mohiuddin were subsequently arrested.
Abdur Razzak later gave a confessional statement in court under Section 164, admitting responsibility for the murder. The three individuals were sent to jail on the afternoon of Oct. 30.
JMBF issued the following statement about the murder:
JMBF Strongly Condemns the Brutal Killing of Gay Teacher Sujan Ali in Meherpur, Bangladesh
Accused Murderers Arrested
Arrested Accused Murderers
Paris, France; November 13, 2024: JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the brutal killing of Sujan Ali, a gay kindergarten teacher from Jibon Nagar, Meherpur. Sujan’s tragic murder on the night of October 6, 2024, in the very school where he dedicated his life to nurturing young minds, serves as a stark and harrowing reminder of the deadly consequences of prejudice and hate against the LGBTQI+ community.
This heinous act of violence—carried out by individuals who deceived Sujan into a confrontation under false pretenses—ended his life mercilessly and unforgivably. It underscores the urgent need for greater protection, understanding, and legal safeguarding for LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh and beyond. Sujan’s death must not be allowed to fade into another overlooked tragedy in the long history of discrimination and violence faced by the LGBTQI+ community.
Robert Simon, a prominent French LGBTQI+ rights activist and chief adviser of JMBF expressed, “The senseless killing of Sujan Ali is not just an attack on an individual, but an attack on human dignity and the very essence of love, acceptance, and equality. We call on the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that justice is not only served but seen to be served. Let this moment be a catalyst for real, substantive change that protects the lives of those who are too often marginalized.”
Advocate Shahanur Islam, founder and president of JMBF, added, “Justice is not a privilege—it is a fundamental right. The murder of Sujan Ali must be met with an unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability. We urge the authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators face the full extent of the law. Additionally, we call for comprehensive reforms to protect LGBTQI+ rights and create an environment where individuals can live without fear.”
JMBF calls on the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, to ensure the protection of sexual minorities by repealing Section 377 of the Penal Code and enacting the Protection of Sexual Minority People Act.
JMBF stands in solidarity with Sujan’s family, friends, and the broader LGBTQI+ community in Bangladesh. We demand swift legal action against those responsible and comprehensive steps towards a future free from hatred and violence. Justice for Sujan Ali is justice for all who fight for equality and human rights.
