The Samajik Protirodh Committee, a platform of 67 women, human rights, and development organizations, has expressed deep concern, strong condemnation, and apprehension over the incident of breaking down a door and raping a Hindu woman in Muradnagar, Cumilla.
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad President Dr Fawzia Moslem signed the statement, issued on Sunday, saying that this incident is not only a serious attack on personal safety but also on the safety, dignity, and human rights of women as a whole.
Rights group Ain o Salish Kendra reports that from January 1 to May 31, at least 286 women and children were raped by individuals, while another 97 were gang-raped across the country. Of the victims, 16 were killed after rape.
Moreover, it is alarming that 241 of the rape victims are aged below 18, while 43 children were aged below 6.
โIf women are not protected even at home, it indicates a serious crisis in the law and order and civil security of the state. In addition, there is a mentality of making light of the issue by blaming each other and giving it a political form.
โWomen in our country, including minority women and girls, are suffering from extreme insecurity. Heinous crimes like rape are being committed, which are constantly questioning the law and order and the justice system.โ
Oikya Parishad condemns attack on Hindu community by communal forces
Hindu temple demolished in Khilkhet after ultimatum by Touhidi Janata
The illusion of media freedom in Bangladesh under fascist Yunus
Factbox: Minority repression by Yunus government supporters neglected
Hindu rights leader Chinmoy Prabhu denied bail again
The Committee believes that it is the constitutional and moral responsibility of the state to ensure the safety and dignity of women. It is the duty of the state to ensure that every woman in this country can live safely in her home, on the street, and at workโeverywhere with dignity.
The implementation of the โzero toleranceโ policy against violence against women has now become the demand of the hour.
The Committee demanded that the accused be given exemplary punishment as soon as possible and that the safety of the victim woman and her family be ensured, as well as ensuring her medical, legal, and psychological services.
The platform also asked the Yunus-led interim government, administration, law enforcement agencies, and all concerned to prevent the recurrence of such incidents, and at the same time, we call for the development of a social movement.
English