Sajibur Rahman
Incidents of murder, rape and suicide of children have marked a significant rise in the first five months of 2018 over the corresponding period of the last year, according to Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF).
At least 184 children were killed, 286 minor girls raped and 145 committed suicide from January to May this year while 130 children were killed, 250 raped and 76 committed suicide during the same period of 2017, reveals statistics of the forum.
The numbers of total rape and murder incidents were 85 and 201 respectively in 2012, 150 and 180 in 2013, 199 and 366 in 2014, 521 and 292 in 2015, 446 and 265 in 2016, and 593 and 399 in 2017.
Apart from these, 122 children went missing, 74 were kidnapped, and 36 raped after murder, showing a rise from those in January-May, 2017.
The numbers of children murdered after kidnap and gang-rape were 11 and 42 respectively during the period, according to the data of BSAF, a national network of 267 non-government organisations.
A total of 288 and 51 children were killed in road accidents and by lightening strikes respectively during the period.
BSAF director Abdus Shahid Mahmood while talking to The FE expressed his grave concern over the increasing trend of torture and violence against children in the country.
It is very saddening and unfortunate that children are killed after rape that has marked a sharp rise compared to that of last year (2017), he added.
The culture of impunity is the main reason for the rise in such incidents, the director said, adding the law enforcement agencies must play a responsible role in this regard.
Regarding suicide, he said a good number of students killed themselves being frustrated as they could not pass in English and Mathematics in SSC examinations.
Anti-Corruption Commission's senior prosecutor Advocate Md Khurshid Alam Khan told the FE that conviction rate is only one per cent in the women and children repression cases; so murder and rape are increasing.
Trial proceedings should end duly to ensure justice, he added.
The prosecution and investigating officers have an important role in convicting the accused of such offences, Alam said.
Due to lack of capacity of the prosecution and investigating officers, the rate of conviction is very insignificant, the ACC lawyer said.
Human rights activist and Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Salma Ali told the FE that a monitoring cell must be formed to oversee the cases for the killings and rapes of children so that the perpetrators cannot go scot-free.
A section of criminals, having political clout, influential section of people and people with muscle power are getting involved in these crimes, she said.
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