Bangladesh activists demand justice after two queer men are attacked
Attacks fit a pattern of ongoing violence against queer people
LGBTQI+ Bangladeshis face the threat of ongoing violence and extortion, simply for being who they are in this deeply conservative Muslim country. Two recent violent assaults against queer men in different cities illustrate this danger. One was in Rangpur in northern Bangladesh. The other was in Narayanganj, outside the Bangladesh capital of Dhaka.
The France-based human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) released this (lightly edited) statement about the two incidents:
JMBF Strongly Condemns the Abduction and Rape of Two Sexual Minority Individuals in Rangpur and Narayanganj
JMBF strongly condemns the recent brutal acts of abduction and rape committed against two sexual minority individuals in Rangpur and Narayanganj, Bangladesh, on March 3 and March 8.
The abduction, rape, and blackmail of a young man in Rangpur, along with the rape of another in Narayanganj, are appalling violations of human rights and stark reminders of the systemic discrimination and violence faced by LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh.
These horrific acts highlight the urgent need for stronger legal protections, immediate judicial action, and societal change to ensure justice and safety for sexual minorities in Bangladesh. The perpetrators of such heinous crimes must be held fully accountable, and law enforcement agencies must take swift and uncompromising action to prevent further victimization.
Facts in Brief:
This information is from a reliable source and from reports published in various news media in Bangladesh:
Abduction and Rape of a Sexual Minority Youth in Rangpur; Four Members of a Teen Gang Arrested
In Rangpur city, a sexual minority youth was allegedly abducted and raped, with the perpetrators recording the incident to blackmail him for money. In connection with these allegations, a joint force arrested four members of a teenage gang on the morning of Thursday, March 6, 2025. The arrested individuals are Shuvo (18), Naim (19), Jihad (18), and Kader (18).
According to the complaint and police sources, on the night of March 3, a group of local teenagers abducted the 25-year-old victim from the Abhiram area of Rangpur city and took him to an unknown location. The gang first snatched his mobile phone and watch and then demanded a ransom of 200,000 BDT (approximately $1650 USD). Using the victim’s phone, they contacted his family and managed to extort 25,500 BDT (approximately $210 USD) through the mobile banking app Bkash.
As the full ransom was not paid, Naim and Jihad allegedly raped the victim and recorded the act on video. They then threatened to release the footage online if the remaining amount was not paid.
A while later, the gang released the victim. He subsequently lodged a complaint at the local police station and the army camp. Based on the complaint, a joint force led by Major Refayet Osman of the 30 East Bengal Regiment, along with police personnel, conducted a raid in the Jummapara Sweeper Colony area of Rangpur and arrested the four accused individuals.
Rape of a Sexual Minority Youth in Narayanganj; Case Filed
On the night of March 8, a 20-year-old sexual minority man was allegedly sexually assaulted after being lured away from the street in the Shahi Mosque Palli Bidyut Road area of Bandar Upazila, Narayanganj. Following the incident, the victim’s mother filed a case at Bandar Police Station.
According to the case details, the victim was standing in front of their house when Saeed, the son of neighbor Manjur Mahajan, called him inside, saying he needed to discuss something urgent. Once inside, Saeed sexually assaulted him and later threatened to kill him if he told anyone.
On March 11, the victim disclosed the incident to his family, after which his mother filed a case at Bandar Police Station.
JMBF calls for action to protect LGBTQI+ people
“The continuous violence against LGBTQI+ individuals in Bangladesh is unacceptable. No one should live in fear because of their identity. The Bangladeshi government must ensure that justice is served, and the international community must hold human rights violators accountable,” says Robert Simon, Chief Adviser of JMBF.
“The brutal crimes in Rangpur and Narayanganj are grave violations of human rights and a failure to protect the sexual minority community in Bangladesh. The government must ensure prompt and impartial investigations, strict legal action against the perpetrators, and protection for victims and witnesses. Without justice, the cycle of violence will only continue,” says Shahanur Islam, Founder President of JMBF.
JMBF demands immediate action to ensure justice for the victims. JMBF calls for the swift arrest and prosecution of all those involved. Without strict legal consequences, such crimes will continue to endanger LGBTQI+ individuals.
JMBF urges the government to implement stronger legal protections for sexual minorities, including constitutional recognition and full legal rights. JMBF also demands accountability from law enforcement for failures in addressing such crimes, ensuring fair investigations and justice for victims.
Furthermore, JMBF calls for public awareness campaigns to combat discrimination and violence against LGBTQI+ individuals. JMBF advocates for the enactment of a Sexual Minority Protection Act and the repeal of Section 377 of the Bangladesh Penal Code to decriminalize homosexuality and protect sexual minorities from persecution.
The rights and dignity of all individuals—regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation—must be respected and protected. JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France remains committed to fighting for justice and standing in solidarity with the victims of these horrific acts.
Justice for All, Silence for None!
