118 children raped in four and a half months

Country concerned over child rape and murder: Experts call for separate commission and political accountability

❐ Staff Reporter

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The number of child rapes and murders after rape has been increasing alarmingly in the country recently. According to data from non-governmental organizations, at least 118 children have been raped across the country in the last four and a half months of this year. Of these, at least four children have been raped and murdered in the last two weeks alone.

Social analysts and experts believe that overall concerns about child safety have now reached an extreme level.

Analysts are clear that it will not be possible to stop violence and abuse against children unless political parties are held accountable. According to them, the question of ensuring the safety of children is not limited to the duty of the state, but is also directly related to the moral existence of society.

To address this situation, experts have demanded the formation of an independent child protection commission.

At the same time, they believe that it is now necessary not only to prosecute in court, but also to identify rapists socially.

Despite legal protection, the reality is worrying

Articles 28 and 32 of the Constitution of Bangladesh specifically guarantee the right to life, security and dignity of children. The National Child Policy declares the highest protection and non-discriminatory development of children as a state commitment.

In addition, as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Bangladesh is also committed to preventing child abuse at the international level.

However, contrary to this legal framework and commitment, the picture on the ground is completely different. The latest statistics from the Law and Arbitration Center present a horrifying reality.

At least 118 children were raped in the country from January to May 20 this year. At least 46 more were victims of attempted rape. And at least 17 children were killed after being raped.

According to experts, each of these numbers is a childhood interrupted, a family broken apart — a reflection of a panicked society.

Psychiatrist: Committing crime has become easier

Dr. SM Atiqur Rahman, Assistant Professor of the Department of Psychiatry at Bangladesh Medical University, said that many times in foreign countries, those who have such distorted mentality are openly identified in society.

But this system does not exist in Bangladesh. As a result, children are increasingly forced to grow up in an unsafe environment.

He further said, “Death has now become a very common occurrence in our society, as if it is not a matter of any importance. This mentality has become so deeply rooted in society that it has now become very easy for people, especially those prone to crime, to commit crimes.”

Criminologist: Child protection has never been high on the political agenda

Khandaker Farzana Rahman, associate professor at the Department of Criminology at Dhaka University, believes that to overcome this crisis, it is necessary to form an independent Child Protection Commission, which will assist educational institutions and religious institutions in protecting children and follow a zero-tolerance policy for any crime against children.

He directly said that these issues have never been given due importance on the political agenda.

It is worth noting that 12 political parties in the country signed a UNICEF declaration on child rights before the national elections earlier this year. However, Professor Farzana Rahman has expressed doubts about the practical implementation of that promise.

He questioned the extent to which political parties consider child protection in their activities and political psychology.

Test of the civilization of the state

Researchers say that children are the most vulnerable and helpless citizens in society. A state that can ensure the safety of these children is the one that deserves to be considered truly civilized.

Therefore, experts believe that now is the time to consider the issue of child protection as a state priority and social responsibility, rather than simply viewing it as a legal or administrative issue.