In Islam, children are regarded as ‘angels’. Their pristine innocence makes them immune to the strictness of adults. But, New Yorkers have recently witnessed a frightful incident – a mother (21) has killed her baby who was only 4 weeks old!
The current scenario of Bangladesh is no different than New York. Rajon from Sylhet, Nazim from Narayanganj, Milon from Noakhali, Rakib from Khulna – these children might had separate identities but all of them were common victims of violence and eventually lost their lives. Among the victims – two were beaten to death by their own families; one teenager was strangled by his ex-colleagues while the rest were murdered for their suspected involvement in a theft. Where were we when such cruelty to children took place? As a nation, it is our moral responsibility to protect the children at any cost. Nevertheless, we detect regular instances where the protector becomes a slayer.
Whether at home, school, workplace or a public place – children are exposed to severe forms of physical and mental aggression. The harsh nature and extent of hostility towards children has amplified regardless of their age, sex, religion and socio-economic class. Overall, our children are not invulnerable despite efforts made by the government and several human-rights groups in ensuring the protective rights of children.
Unfortunately, Bangladesh ranks as one of the top countries in the violence against children during peacetime. None adores taking concern of the crimes committed by others. Unanimously, the pursuit of a strong society requires that we either punish or execute criminals on the grounds of violence against children. However, Bangladeshi citizens must deal with the chaotic preconditions for ensuring safety, sanity and success in society – address the basic causes of such violence; categorise the connecting signs of such violence; deduce the societal or sentimental values associated with such violence; and think outside the box to prevent such violence.
In Bangladesh, our government asserts that the Children Act (1974) has been successful in dealing with juvenile justice – this too is derisory! The executive, the legislature and the judiciary – together with the criminal justice system and various law-enforcement agencies – are indifferent to such laws and more often than not treat children just as they would treat adult criminals. Therefore, violence against children must end and the government along with parents or guardians of the children should be sensitised to the provisions of UNICEF’s Convention on the Rights of the Child and national laws protecting Bangladeshi children.
Globally, we should save the children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and violence at all costs. We cannot let our conscience stoop so low where we do almost nothing to protect the precious life of a child. We must remember that violence against children violates human rights and shows a painful reality of the societies.
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