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Five sent to jail over gay allegations at Bangladesh school
Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Four students were expelled from their dormitories and five people were sent to jail after allegations of homosexuality made under torture, media reports allege. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
JMBF Condemns Persecution of Students in Dhaka Over Allegations of Homosexuality
Four students of the Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College in Dhaka, Bangladesh had their dormitory seats cancelled over allegations of homosexuality. At the same time, five individuals, including one outsider, were handed over to the police and subsequently served 15 days in prison.
On the night of 22 April, a student was reportedly detained with an outsider in an alley adjacent to the college mosque. Allegations later emerged that he was mentally tortured and forced to reveal the identities of other homosexual students on campus.
The college authorities later handed them over to Kafrul Police Station. A mobile court subsequently sentenced them to 15 days’ imprisonment and sent them to jail. After completing their sentence, they were released from prison.
Meanwhile, during an Academic Council meeting held on 23 April, a decision was made to cancel their dormitory seats. On the same day, a notice signed by Hostel Superintendent and Residential Physician Dr. Md. Mokhched Ali stated, “The students were handed over to Kafrul Police Station on suspicion of homosexuality. According to the emergency decision of the Academic Council, their dormitory seat allocations have been temporarily cancelled.”
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) expresses deep concern and strong condemnation over the detention, mental torture, handover to police, sentencing through a mobile court, and cancellation of dormitory seats of several students at the Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College in Dhaka on allegations of “homosexuality.” JMBF states that this incident constitutes a clear violation of the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Bangladesh and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The organization therefore calls for an immediate, impartial investigation and appropriate legal action against those responsible for these human rights violations.
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JMBF further believes that a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation can never justify social humiliation, mental abuse, or administrative persecution. Educational institutions should be safe and inclusive spaces where all students can pursue their education free from fear and discrimination.
“The language used against students on suspicion of homosexuality promotes a dangerous social attitude that legitimizes human rights violations and social hatred. Imposing punitive measures before allegations are proven and forcing individuals to disclose their personal identities constitute clear violations of fundamental human rights. Such practices must stop immediately,” says Robert Simon, Chief Adviser of JMBF and a prominent French LGBTQ+ rights activist.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) places the following demands before the Government of Bangladesh:
Ensure a neutral, transparent, and independent investigation into the incident.
Investigate the allegations of mental torture and forced disclosure of identities.
Withdraw all discriminatory and inhumane administrative measures taken against the affected students.
Ensure the safety, dignity, and right to privacy of all students in educational institutions.
Take effective measures to end harassment and discrimination based on sexual orientation or personal identity.
Immediately enact and implement a “Sexual Minority Protection Act” to ensure the safety and rights of sexual minority communities.
Provide appropriate compensation to the affected students, including physical and psychological treatment and support.
JMBF calls upon the United Nations Human Rights Council, relevant authorities, the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organizations, international human rights organizations, and foreign diplomatic missions in Bangladesh to urgently address this incident and take effective measures to prevent such persecution in the future.
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