The number of incidents of child rights violation in the country increased by 7.13 per cent to 3,845 in the outgoing year (2017) from 3,589 in the previous year, a survey by a rights group reveals.
Some 339 children were killed and 593 raped in 2017, which increased by 28 per cent and 33 per cent respectively.
The figures were revealed at a press conference, held at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), organised by Bangladesh Shishu Adhikhar Forum (BSAF) to disclose the survey findings on the state of child rights violation in the country last year.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque, BSAF chairperson Md Emranul Huq Chowdhury and director Abdus Shahid Mahmood attended the conference among others.
The survey found that 1,710 children died in unnatural incidents while 894 were subjected to sexual harassment last year.
The numbers of such incidents rose by 18.67 per cent and 30.32 per cent respectively compared to 2016.
The incidents of child rights violation include murder, kidnap, unnatural death, physical abuse and rape.
The BSAF compiled data from 10 national dailies to prepare the analysis. The number of incidents of torture by schoolteachers, however, reduced by 55 per cent last year compared to the previous year.
In 2017, 118 children were beaten by teachers while the figure was 263 in 2016.
Expressing deep concern over the gloomy scenario of child rights, the BSAF placed a 13-point recommendation, including formation of a separate commission to help protect the rights.
It also suggested that the government create a dedicated department for service to children, take sterner legal actions against the child rights violators and properly enforce the Children Act 2013.
Speaking on the occasion, Reazul Hoque said approximately 45 per cent of the country's population are children, the future of the nation.
"However, the overall child rights situation in the country is alarming," he said.
Terming the overall scenario 'a culture of lawlessness', he said: "The incidents taking place against the kids are no way acceptable; as they are the country's future."
He underscored the need for formation of a separate Children Commission similar to the NHRC to safeguard children's' interests.
Referring to the Children Act 2013, Mr Hoque said the guideline in the light of the act is yet to be finalised to make the law useful.
He also urged the politicians not to exploit children in any kind of political activities especially during the upcoming national election.
In his speech, Emranul Huq said the government should finalise the actions to from a dedicated agency for the children's rights.
"As far as we know, the decision in this regard has been taken in principle. It should come into effect before the child rights violation situation deteriorates further," he said.
He also said the Jatiya Sangsad (National Parliament) should dedicate two days of parliamentary sessions to discuss the child rights situation in the country.
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