The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) has said transgender rights activist Ho Chi Minh Islam was advised against attending the Bay of Bengal Conversation 2026 due to security concerns following an online campaign of hostility, intimidation and threats targeting her, her community and the organisation.
In a statement on Friday, CGS said its president, Zillur Rahman, personally contacted Islam shortly before the event and advised her not to attend out of concern for her safety.
The organisation said the decision was made in response to serious security concerns and had nothing to do with her identity, views or advocacy.
“There was no instruction, request or pressure from the government or any government authority to exclude her,” the statement said.
CGS issued the statement after taking note of concerns expressed by Islam and her organisation over her non-participation in this year's conference.
The organisation also clarified that the subsequent removal of her name and photograph from conference materials was a routine administrative practice following changes in speaker participation, which was consistently applied to other speakers as well.
It said the decision was neither personal nor discriminatory.
Acknowledging that the outcome was disappointing and might have caused hurt, CGS said it respected Islam's right to raise questions and express her concerns.
The organisation reiterated its commitment to human dignity, fundamental rights, diversity and inclusive dialogue, saying its platforms had welcomed people from different political, religious, ethnic, social and gender identities, including transgender and other marginalised communities.
Islam herself had participated in several CGS initiatives, including previous editions of the Bay of Bengal Conversation, it said, adding that her invitation to this year's event reflected the same longstanding commitment.
CGS said the online threats had raised serious concerns about the safety of those involved and the peaceful conduct of the international gathering, particularly amid growing mob intimidation in Bangladesh.
The organisation firmly rejected the idea that intimidation or mob pressure should determine participation in public discourse, while stressing that genuine security threats could not be ignored.
“Protecting human dignity and ensuring personal safety must go hand in hand,” the statement said.
CGS said its commitment to the rights and inclusion of transgender people and other vulnerable communities remained unchanged.
It also expressed its willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with Islam, her community and other concerned stakeholders, reiterating that no one should be excluded because of their identity or endangered simply to demonstrate a principle.