Outrage over Pallabi child murder; demand for speedy trial and social resistance by Democratic Rights Committee

PNN News Desk. Dhaka

The Democratic Rights Committee has expressed deep concern and anger over the incident of rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Pallabi, Dhaka. The organization said that due to the failure to ensure speedy trials in cases of violence against women and children, such crimes are increasing alarmingly in the country.

These issues were discussed at a meeting of the organization held at Shanskriti Bikash Kendra in Paribagh, Dhaka on Thursday afternoon. Various decisions and statements of the meeting were published in a press release sent to the media on Friday.

Speakers at the meeting said that violence against women and children has increased at an alarming rate in recent times. They mentioned that in the last four months, 118 girl children were raped and 17 were killed in different parts of the country, and said this reflects growing intolerance, moral decay, and insensitivity in society.

The meeting further stated that the increase in such crimes is due to lengthy judicial processes and failure to build social resistance, along with questions about the lack of effective government initiatives.

They also called for more active roles by religious leaders to stop incidents of child abuse, rape, and murder in madrasas and other educational institutions. They demanded mandatory anti-sexual harassment policies in all educational institutions.

Concerns were also expressed about the increasing prevalence of measles among children and related deaths. The organization said government health ministry activities are insufficient and demanded immediate and effective measures.

In addition, condemnation was expressed regarding attacks and vandalism at Shah Ali Mazar in Dhaka, and the government was urged to take effective steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

Demands were also raised to stop possible increases in electricity and gas prices, release detained members of the Bawm community, and bring back fishermen detained by the Arakan Army.

The meeting was chaired by Anu Muhammad. Among those present were Harun ur Rashid, Moshahida Sultana, Akram Khan, Joydeep Bhattacharya, Shahidul Islam, Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, and other members of the organization.