Statement by progressive teachers protesting child murder and rape: Demand speedy trial and exemplary punishment

❐ BD Digest Desk

The Bangladesh Public University Progressive Teachers’ Association has issued a statement strongly condemning and protesting the one-on-one rape, torture and brutal murder of children across the country.

In a statement issued today, May 21, 2026 (Memorial No.: BPUPTA/2026/33), the organization said, “Bangladesh has become a terrifyingly unsafe territory for children today. The state’s utter failure, the deterioration of law and order, and the culture of impunity are constantly putting the lives of children at risk.”

The statement was signed by the organization’s office secretary and associate professor of the Department of Public Administration at Rajshahi University, Dr. Mahbub Alam Pradeep.

The statement mentioned that the entire country is mourning the recent deaths of hundreds of children due to measles. The Bangladesh Public University Progressive Teachers’ Association is also deeply saddened by this tragedy.

The organization alleged that the government’s extreme failure to ensure effective public health systems is visible even in the midst of such a major disaster.

The statement specifically highlights several brutal incidents that have taken place in recent times. Ramisa Akhter, a second-grade student, was brutally tortured and beheaded in the capital’s Pallabi. Four-year-old Fahima Akhter was raped and killed in Sylhet. Four-year-old Lamia Akhter was raped and killed in Ranishankoil, Thakurgaon.

Ten-year-old Asia Akhter was raped and murdered in Sirajdikhan, Munshiganj. Child Tahsin was kept in a house in Zakiganj, Sylhet and subjected to inhuman torture for nine months. And ten-year-old Abdullah died mysteriously in the bathroom of a madrasa in Banasree, Dhaka.

Citing these incidents, the statement said that they prove that this state and social system have completely failed to provide safety to children.

The teachers’ union statement strongly stated that this atrocity was not an isolated incident. It was the result of the past 20 months of ongoing impunity, mob violence, social degradation, and planned inaction at the state level.

The statement alleged that the spread of murder, rape, violence against women, minority oppression, mob violence, violence and mob violence in educational institutions in the country during the tenure of the interim Muhammad Yunus government in the last 18 months has created chaos in the cracks of social civilization and destroyed the rule of law.

Planned terrorism, impunity, and administrative inefficiency have destroyed the security of ordinary people, and children are most at risk.

The statement demanded immediate and swift trial and exemplary punishment of all criminals involved in child murder, rape, and torture.

In addition, there has been a clear demand that the state must be held accountable for implementing public health, educational institutions, and social security systems.

The statement warned that future generations will not forgive this failure if Bangladesh is not made safe for children.

The organization has called on all conscious citizens, human rights organizations, and democratic forces in the country to unite and protest demanding the safety and justice of children.