JMBF Condemns Arrest of 15 Lawyers in Chattogram Under Anti-Terrorism Law

France-based international human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has strongly condemned the reported arrest of 15 lawyers, including five women, in Chattogram, alleging serious violations of fundamental rights and due-process safeguards.

According to JMBF, the lawyers associated with the Chattogram District Bar Association were detained in the Double Mooring area on the night of August 15 after attending a private prayer and commemorative gathering marking the death anniversary of Bangladesh's founding President, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The organisation said the lawyers had gathered at the residence of their colleague, Advocate Umme Habiba, in WAPDA Colony in Mansurabad under Double Mooring Police Station. Following the conclusion of the prayer and Milad Mahfil, police reportedly arrived at the residence and detained the participants before taking them to the Detective Branch office of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police.

JMBF identified the detained lawyers as Iskandar Mirza, Sanjay Kanti Nath, S. M. Salauddin, Ahsan Abid, Sultan Mahmud Jidan, Partha Pratim Nandi, Shuvo Aich, Mashiur Rahman Abir, Zakir Hossain, Jishu Roy Chowdhury, Umme Habiba, Kamela Khanam, Ayesha Haven, Sujala Antara and Sharmin Yasmin Nishu.

The organisation said a case was subsequently filed against all 15 lawyers under Bangladesh's Anti-Terrorism Act and that they were later produced before a court.

Human rights concerns

JMBF said the use of anti-terrorism legislation in connection with an allegedly peaceful and private commemorative gathering was "deeply alarming and disproportionate."

The organisation said that, in the absence of credible evidence connecting the lawyers to violence or genuine terrorist activity, the arrests raised concerns over arbitrary detention, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, political participation and the potential misuse of counter-terrorism legislation.

JMBF also expressed concern over reports that several senior lawyers who went to the Detective Branch office were allegedly denied access to the detained lawyers.

The organisation said any restriction on access to lawyers and family members could raise further questions regarding due process and the right to legal assistance.

"Peaceful commemoration, prayer, expression of condolences, association, and political opinion should not, in themselves, be equated with terrorism," JMBF said in its statement.

JMBF president raises broader concerns

Advocate Shahanur Islam, founder and president of JMBF, described the reported arrests as part of what he characterised as a broader pattern of alleged repression targeting lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, cultural activists and political actors in Bangladesh.

He said peaceful remembrance, prayer and political expression should not be treated as terrorism and warned that using anti-terrorism legislation against peaceful activities could undermine the rule of law and restrict democratic and civic space.

Islam called on the Bangladesh government to ensure that counter-terrorism and criminal laws are not used for politically motivated purposes against lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, cultural activists, political opponents or peaceful citizens.

Six-point demand

JMBF called on the Bangladesh government and relevant authorities to immediately and unconditionally release the 15 lawyers if their detention is not supported by credible evidence of a recognisable criminal offence.

The organisation also demanded effective access to independent legal counsel and family members, respect for due-process and fair-trial guarantees, and an end to the use of anti-terrorism and other criminal laws to suppress peaceful expression, assembly, association and political opinion.

It further called for a review of the application of Bangladesh's Anti-Terrorism Act to prevent arbitrary, discriminatory, disproportionate or politically motivated enforcement.

Appeal to international community

JMBF urged the United Nations, European Union, diplomatic missions in Bangladesh, international bar associations, lawyers' organisations and international human rights groups to closely monitor the case.

The organisation called on the international community to safeguard the rights, dignity and professional independence of lawyers in Bangladesh and to remain vigilant against the alleged misuse of counter-terrorism legislation.

JMBF reiterated that counter-terrorism laws should not be used as instruments to suppress peaceful expression, political opinion, commemoration, association or dissent.

The organisation's statement was issued from Paris on August 16, 2026.