Bangladesh: Lawyers arrested and prosecuted following a peaceful commemoration
Mr Monish Kanti Dey and Mr Mizanur Rahman were arrested on the night of 26 March 2026 in Sunamganj. They are facing prosecution under anti-terrorism legislation, alongside several other Bangladeshi lawyers.
These arrests took place after a ceremony held on the same day to mark Independence Day. Lawyers had gathered within the Sunamganj court complex to pay tribute to the martyrs and take part in a peaceful procession organised for the occasion.
Following this, a police officer filed a complaint against 27 named lawyers (including Monish Kanti Dey and Mizanur Rahman), as well as several dozens of unidentified individuals, for “offences under the Anti-Terrorism Act”. The day after their arrest, Mr Kanti Dey and Mr Rahman appeared in court.
This case raises serious concerns within the legal profession and among human rights organisations. Many have condemned the misuse of anti-terrorism legislation to suppress peaceful expression.
The prosecution of Monish Kanti Dey, Mizanur Rahman and the targeted Bangladeshi lawyers raises concerns regarding respect for freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, which are protected by the Havana Principles. It also raises questions about the protection of lawyers in the exercise of their duties and respect for the rule of law.
The Observatory reminds Bangladesh of its obligations under international law, in particular the aforementioned Havana Principles, according to which « Lawyers like other citizens are entitled to freedom of expression, belief, association and assembly. In particular, they shall have the right to take part in public discussion of matters concerning the law, the administration of justice and the promotion and protection of human rights and to join or form local, national or international organizations and attend their meetings, without suffering professional restrictions by reason of their lawful action or their membership in a lawful organization » (Principle n°23).
The Observatory also recalls that, according to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ratified by Bangladesh in 2000)
:
- « Everyone shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice » (Article 19§2)
- « The right of peaceful assembly shall be recognized. (…) » (Article 21).
The Observatory urges the Bangladeshi authorities to release Mr Monish Kanti Dey and Mr Mizanur Rahman immediately and unconditionally and to drop the charges against the lawyers concerned.
The Observatory calls on the Bangladeshi authorities to drop the charges against lawyers who took part in the peaceful commemoration of Bangladesh’s Independence Day.
The Observatory calls on the State of Bangladesh to guarantee respect of the fundamental rights of the lawyers involved and to ensure that anti-terrorism legislation is not used to restrict peaceful activities.
