The Democratic Rights Committee has vehemently protested the slow pace of justice in child rape cases, asserting that the delay in trials is escalating such crimes to alarming levels. The committee highlighted the recent rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Pallabi, Mirpur, as a stark example of the growing menace.
In a meeting held at the Cultural Development Center in Paribagh, the committee condemned all instances of child rape and murder. They expressed deep concern over the 118 cases of child rape and 17 murder cases reported across the country in the last four months. The committee attributed the surge in violence against women and children to societal instability, insensitivity, and cruelty.
The committee emphasized that the lack of swift justice for perpetrators and the absence of social movements and awareness campaigns against such crimes are contributing to the severity of these offenses. They called for religious leaders to play a proactive role in preventing child abuse in madrasas and demanded the mandatory implementation of anti-sexual harassment policies in all educational institutions.
The committee also expressed concern over the increasing number of child casualties nationwide and urged the Health Ministry to take a more active role. They demanded the immediate trial of those responsible for these crimes. Additionally, the committee protested the attack and vandalism at Shah Ali Mazar and called for government action to prevent such incidents.
Other demands included halting the increase in electricity and gas prices, releasing members of the Bom community who have been detained without trial for over 700 days, and securing the release of fishermen held captive by the Arakan Army. The committee also discussed plans for upcoming programs against trade agreements deemed contrary to the country's interests.
