A human rights organization has strongly criticized a university administration in Bangladesh for detaining two students and expelling four others over allegations of homosexuality. JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) denounced these actions at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University (HSTU) in Dinajpur district, calling them repressive and a violation of constitutional and human rights. The rights group expressed concern over the university’s interference in students’ private lives, emphasizing that educational institutions should not engage in moral policing or social persecution.
The JMBF condemned the university’s decision to use vague terms like ‘the university’s reputation’ and ‘social degradation’ to justify its actions, stating that such measures infringe on personal freedoms. Chief Advisor of JMBF, French LGBTQ+ rights activist Robert Simon, criticized the administration for controlling students’ private lives, highlighting that this behavior contradicts the principles of education and humanity. Simon called for an immediate end to the oppressive practices at HSTU, emphasizing the importance of upholding personal liberties and dignity.
Emphasizing the importance of personal liberty and human rights, JMBF denounced the university’s actions as reflecting a fascist mentality and urged citizens, educators, and human rights advocates to unite against such violations. The organization warned that allowing the suppression of personal identities today could lead to the stifling of dissenting opinions and independent thoughts in the future. JMBF called for collective action to address these human rights abuses in Bangladesh.
