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Closed 27/07/2017

0%
£565
raised of £25,000 target by 32 supporters

    Iʼve raised £565 to initiate LEGAL BATTLE against section 377 of Penal Code in Bangladesh. This law criminalises the LGBTQIA+ community."

    London, United Kingdom
    Funded on Thursday, 27th July 2017

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    Story

    Most Commonwealth countries have inherited a Victorian era section 377 of Penal Code which criminalises sexual acts "against the laws of nature". Many such independent countries with repressive religions have retained this penal code and have used it to suppress any notions of citizen's rights for the local LGBTQIA+ population. Due to section 377 in Bangladesh's penal code, homosexuals in the country are criminals by definition and homosexual acts are punishable with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine. Moreover, there are no rights to organise, speak up and most importantly seek protection from the law enforcement agencies, should gay people find themselves under threat from Islamic fundamentalists. The last factor played into the incident on April 25, 2016 when a prominent gay rights activists Xulhaz Mannan and gay cultural activist Mahbub Tonoy were mercilessly hacked to death by such militants in Xulhaz's home in Dhaka.

    No government in Bangladesh of any political stripe has dared to repeal section 377 out of fear of backlash from Muslim fundamentalists and also out of a misguided notion of what is culturally acceptable. The only way to change the situation is through the legal channel - that is by filing a writ petition to Bangladesh's court system to declare section 377 of Penal Code to be against the constitution of the country. Such an argument can indeed be made as has been done in a similar case in India. Bangladesh's secular constitution does not allow the selective denial of rights to a group of her citizens by virtue of any criteria. It is expected that the lower courts of the country will not rule in favour of this private petition by us. Therefore we plan to take the matter up all the way to the Supreme Court.

    Petitioners:
    Mr. Riaz Osmani (London, UK)
    Mr. Shahanur Islam (Dhaka, Bangladesh)

    Updates

    4

    • Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam8 years ago
      Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam

      Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam

      8 years ago

      Hello everyone. Thank so much for supporting this cause. It is greatly appreciated. Just to let you know that I have contacted a British charity which specialises in litigation against laws that criminalise same-sex relations by virtue of 377 like penal codes in various countries around the world. They are now seriously conducting a detailed feasibility study for whether or when such a legal move would be fruitful and ensure chances of success. I will donate whatever sums I have raised to that charity. Thank you so much once again.

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    • Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam8 years ago
      Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam

      Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam

      8 years ago

      Here is the section of Bangladesh penal code we are trying to have declared to be against the country's constitution and thus rendered null and void. http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/sections_detail.php?id=11&sections_id=3233

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    • Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam8 years ago
      Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam

      Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam

      8 years ago

      Thank you Anonymous. So so so much. But I hate you for not letting me thank you personally by remaining anonymous :o) But that is OK.

      Share this update to help us raise more

    8 years ago

    Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam started crowdfunding

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    Page last updated on: 7/23/2017 18.18

    Supporters

    32

    • Kathleen Johnson

      Kathleen Johnson

      Jun 16, 2017

      Good luck with it!

      £20.00

    • Anonymous

      Anonymous

      Jun 9, 2017

      All the very best guys! Mian!

      £30.00

    • Edward Long

      Edward Long

      Jun 1, 2017

      Best of luck with the campaign

      £50.00

    • Mahfuj Ali

      Mahfuj Ali

      May 26, 2017

      The state should not interfere with personal affairs. This is a direct violation of people's freedom and I am happy to support a campaign against this act.Everyone is equal. Love is universal!

      £5.00

    • Tom Evans

      Tom Evans

      May 23, 2017

      £20.00

    • Seung hoon YIH

      Seung hoon YIH

      May 22, 2017

      Keep up the good work!

      £10.00

    • Charles Donovan

      Charles Donovan

      May 22, 2017

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    About Crowdfunding
    About the fundraiser
    Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam

    Riaz Osmani & Advocate Shahanur Islam

    London, United Kingdom

    I, Riaz Osmani, am a Bangladeshi and UK citizen, a Gay Rights Activist and a Software professional in London, UK. Shahanur Islam is a Bangladeshi Human Rights Activist and Lawyer in Dhaka, Bangladesh. We are petitioning against Section 377 of Penal Code as citizens of Bangladesh.

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