Documented by Md. Nazmul Karim and Roselyn Gloria.
Author: Forhad Hossain, Executive Director, LEEDO
During a press conference held on August 14, 2024, at the Dhaka Reporter’s Unity Auditorium, the Child and Human Rights Activists Forum Against All Forms of Violence and Killing (CHRAF) demanded an immediate and coordinated trial for the perpetrators responsible for the recent killings of children during the student mass movement against the quota system in Bangladesh.
This press conference appears to be the first of its kind in Bangladesh addressing this specific issue. CHRAF’s initiative aims to condemn the inhumane and brutal actions inflicted upon children, many of whom were innocent, street-connected, and impoverished.
During this press conference the forum demanded the investigation and prosecution of those who killed, injured and detained the innocent children. They highlighted that these actions constitute a clear violation of both the UN Human Rights Charter and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Bangladesh is a signatory.
As a signatory to both the UN Human Rights Charter and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Bangladesh is obligated to uphold the principles outlined in these important documents. Unfortunately, the actions of the Bangladeshi government have demonstrated a failure to fully adhere to the obligations set forth in these conventions.
Even the Constitution of Bangladesh also upholds the protection of children, explicitly prohibiting their torture, detention, or killing in such incidents.
Recent news reports indicate that “UNICEF has now confirmed that at least 32 children were killed during July’s protests, with many more injured and detained. This is a terrible loss. UNICEF condemns all acts of violence.”
In line with the UN human rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Children to which Bangladesh is a signatory, and based on research into the effects of detention on children, UNICEF urges an end to the detention of children in all its forms. This means that children should not be arrested or detained based on their mere presence in any location or because of their background, religion, or acts or beliefs of their family members.
News unveiled at least 16 children were killed during this movement but they also believed that the actual numbers are higher than this. (The new Age, July 30, 2024)
(New Age Link: https://www.newagebd.net/print/post/241261.)
In this press conference forum members demanded the following issues to be taken into consideration.
- Should publish a detailed account and real numbers of detained, injured, and dead children.
- Bring to judicial trial those responsible for creating these unlawful and severe situations for children.
- Initiate programs to provide economic assistance and rehabilitation for the families of child victims.
- Free detained children immediately.
- Take immediate action to treat injured children, extend humanitarian assistance and educational opportunities for them and their families.
- Take initiative to formulate more effective laws and actively work to reduce such practice in future.
- Demand justice through an independent and neutral judicial process without delay.
The speakers and guests supported these issues and strongly urged the government to consider them. The concerned speakers also pointed out other issues in the press conference.
- When children are brought to the police station, there should be a compassionate and child-friendly officer assigned to care for them. As there have been instances where children’s ages are altered, with false ages being recorded to facilitate imprisonment. This practice is deeply troubling and should not occur under any circumstances.
- Open new treatment facilities free for injured children immediately.
- Psychosocial counselling should be provided to the traumatized children.
- The Ministry should formulate laws to prevent such incidents involving children in the future.
- A follow-up mechanism should be established to monitor progress and developments in this matter.
The speakers, as well as the forum, urge the international community, humanitarian advocates, and human rights organizations to raise their voices to stop these killings and ensure a free and fair trial for those responsible for these inhumane acts.
Later a procession and human chain was organized in front of national press club, with festoons and banners demanding justice for the killed, injured and detained children.
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A link of news:
https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/242611/probe-into-violence-against-children-demanded
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