The Coalition for Advancing Equality and Justice expressed grief and anger over the rape and murder of Pallavi’s child and made a 10-point demand.
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The Coalition for Advancing Equality and Justice has expressed deep grief, intense anger and concern over the rape and murder of an eight-year-old child in Pallavi of the capital. The Coalition believes this atrocity is not just the loss of a child’s life; It has also brought to the fore the serious lack of accountability and safeguards to ensure the protection and justice of children in Bangladesh.
This outrage and condemnation was expressed in a statement on Thursday afternoon by the Coalition for Advancing Equality and Justice comprising Breaking the Silence, Jago Foundation, Foundation for Humanity, Oxfam in Bangladesh, Plan International Bangladesh, Save the Children in Bangladesh and WaterAid Bangladesh. Besides, 10 point demands were made.
বিজ্ঞাপন
The Coalition’s demands include ensuring immediate impartial and child-sensitive investigations into rape and murder cases and speedy prosecution of those responsible; Establishing Independent Child Reform Commission; Child-friendly investigation and prosecution of all cases of child abuse and sexual violence; Ensure strong protection, treatment, psychosocial support, legal aid and rehabilitation for child victims of abuse and their families; Preventing attempts to conceal cases by intimidation, compromise, influence or otherwise.
Strengthen child protection systems in schools, communities, online areas and police stations in addition to establishing a separate Directorate of Child Affairs; Undertake nationwide awareness programs to break the silence on child abuse; The coalition also called for the creation of an independent monitoring system and national database of child abuse incidents.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Noting that the cases of sexual violence, torture, rape and murder against children are increasing at an alarming rate, the Coalition said, Pallavi’s incident is a reflection of the larger reality, where children’s right to safety, dignity and to grow up in a violence-free environment is being seriously undermined. Violation of such rights is not tolerated in any way.
Highlighting the data of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, the coalition says that in the first four months of this year, 1 thousand 28 women and girls have been victims of various types of violence, including sexual violence; Out of this there are 479 incidents of violence against girls.
Stating that the proposed law to prevent sexual harassment should be enacted quickly, the coalition also said that justice for Pallavi’s child is a demand for the safety and dignity of every child in Bangladesh. It is the constitutional, legal and moral responsibility of the state to ensure child protection.
The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has issued a separate statement expressing deep concern and strongly condemning the recent incidents of child murder, rape and torture in various parts of the country, including the rape and murder of an eight-year-old child in Pallavi.
The statement signed by HRSS Executive Director Ejazul Islam demanded an immediate, impartial and fair investigation into all the incidents of killing and raping these children and identifying the culprits and demanding exemplary punishment. Apart from this, the non-governmental human rights organization demanded proper implementation of the Women and Child Abuse Prevention Act, free legal assistance, security and compensation to the victims’ families, and medical and mental health care.
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