Bangladesh: Rights group decries ‘arbitrary’ arrest of 15 lawyers over Bangabandhu death anniversary gathering

August 17, 2026

Paris: A leading international human rights organisation has condemned the arrest of 15 lawyers in Bangladesh, including five women, following their participation in a private prayer and commemorative gathering marking the death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

15 lawyers arrested in Chattogram

Bangladesh Police arrested the lawyers from a house in the Double Mooring area of Chattogram on Saturday night. Police said the lawyers, who were activists and supporters of the Awami League, had gathered to observe the death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Five women lawyers were granted bail by a court on Sunday afternoon, while the remaining 10 were denied bail and sent to jail.

Double Mooring Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shaheen Alam said the arrests were made based on secret information and that the accused were booked under the Anti-Terrorism Act before being produced in court.

Rights group raises concerns over Anti-Terrorism Act

The human rights organisation described the use of anti-terrorism legislation against the lawyers as alarming, arguing that there was no evidence linking them to violence or terrorist activity.

It said the arrests raised concerns over arbitrary detention, due process, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, political participation and the alleged misuse of counter-terrorism laws.

The organisation stressed that peaceful commemoration, prayer, expression of condolences or political opinion cannot by themselves be treated as terrorism.

JMBF calls for release of arrested lawyers

JMBF Founder President and human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam said the arrests were part of what he described as a broader pattern of alleged human rights violations in Bangladesh targeting lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, cultural activists and political opponents.

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

The organisation also called on the Bangladeshi authorities to release the arrested lawyers and protect the rights, liberty, dignity and professional independence of lawyers in the country.