An international human rights organisation has strongly condemned Bangladeshi authorities for the arrest of 15 lawyers — including five women from the Chattogram District Bar Association — under the country's Anti-Terrorism Act, following their participation in a private prayer and commemorative gathering marking the death anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August. The arrests, carried out on Saturday night in the Double Mooring area of Chattogram, have drawn sharp international criticism over the alleged misuse of counter-terrorism legislation against peaceful civic activity.

The Arrests

Chattogram police detained the 15 lawyers from a private residence in the Double Mooring neighbourhood late on Saturday, acting on what authorities described as secret intelligence. The lawyers, identified as activists and supporters of the Awami League, had gathered to observe the death anniversary of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, widely regarded as Bangladesh's 'Father of the Nation', who was assassinated on 15 August 1975 along with several members of his family. Double Mooring Police Station OC Shaheen Alam confirmed to Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo that the arrested individuals were charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act before being produced in court.

Court Proceedings and Bail

On Sunday afternoon, a court granted bail to the five women lawyers among the detained. The remaining 10 lawyers were denied bail and remanded to judicial custody. The use of anti-terrorism charges in connection with what the rights group described as a peaceful and private gathering has alarmed legal observers both within Bangladesh and internationally.

Rights Group Condemns the Detentions

The JMBF (Justice Makers Bangladesh Foundation) described the application of anti-terrorism legislation to a peaceful commemorative event as 'alarming'. In a statement, the organisation said: 'In the absence of any evidence linking the detained lawyers to violence or genuine terrorist activity, their detention raises serious concerns regarding arbitrary arrest, due process, freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, political participation, and the potential misuse of counter-terrorism legislation.'

JMBF stressed that peaceful commemoration, prayer, expression of condolences, association, or political opinion cannot, in themselves, legitimately be equated with terrorism. The group warned that applying extraordinary criminal law to such conduct risks undermining fundamental freedoms, the independence of the legal profession, and the rule of law.

A Broader Pattern of Repression, Critics Say

JMBF Founder President and human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam placed the incident within a wider context, stating: 'The arrest of 15 lawyers in Chattogram is not an isolated incident; rather, it forms part of a broader pattern of alleged human rights violations and repression in Bangladesh targeting lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, cultural activists, and leaders, activists, and supporters of opposition political parties.' Islam noted that this pattern intensified during the former Interim Government led by Muhammad Yunus and, he argued, appears to be continuing under the newly formed Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) government.

Islam further said: 'Peaceful remembrance, prayer, expression of political opinion, or association with a political party must never, in themselves, be treated as terrorism. Using the Anti-Terrorism Act against peaceful activities undermines the rule of law, shrinks democratic and civic space, and creates an atmosphere of fear.'

International Calls for Action

JMBF has urged the United Nations, the European Union, diplomatic missions based in Bangladesh, international bar associations, and global human rights organisations to closely monitor the case. The group has called on Bangladeshi authorities to immediately release the arrested lawyers and to safeguard the rights, liberty, dignity, and professional independence of all lawyers in the country. Bangladesh observes 15 August as National Mourning Day in commemoration of the 1975 assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. How the BNP-led government responds to this international pressure is expected to be closely watched in the coming days.