Civil society activists urged the government for proper implementation of anti-rape laws to combat the heinous crime and violence against women and children.
They said if laws are not enforced, there is no benefit of increasing the number of laws in the country.
The activists said these on Thursday while speaking at a virtual roundtable on ‘Nari Nirjaton Protirodh o Protikare Koronio’ organised by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujon).
Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, secretary of Shujon moderated the programme while Dhaka University Professor Shahnaz Huda presented key note paper, academicians, rights activists were attended the programme.
They also said proper education regarding social norms and values should be provided to children so that they do not mistreat women.
Professor Shahnaz Huda said the culture of denial of justice is protecting the criminals. Victims cannot go to law enforcers to seek legal security as they think that they will be harassed in the process of receiving legal aids.
Referring to the acid crime prevention act, she said some people think that acid violence was prevented after enacting the law.
“But we observed that acid violence was prevented properly after passing the acid control act”.
So, the provision of death penalty for rape may not help to curb rape violence, if it is not properly enforced and managed by the authorities concerned, she said.
The academician also stressed the need for making the exiting anti-rape laws friendlier to victims. Male child and people of different sexual orientation are excluded in the laws. But they are also being victims of rape violence.
So, these people also should be brought under the protection of the laws, she added.
Professor CR Abrar said ‘it should be identified that why rape incidents have increased suddenly in the country. Is there any link to the political power with the rising of rape cases?’
He also said the government should follow ideal way while enacting a law. But the government has included the provision of death penalty for rape in a short time. It did not take opinion of the civil societies, he mentioned.
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