Staff Reporter :
A somber report released on Monday by Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) sheds light on the harrowing state of human rights violations in the country during the first quarter of this year.
According to the report, a staggering 139 children lost their lives due to various forms of violence, with an additional 27 children succumbing to suicide.
The ASK report, compiled from data sourced from 10 national dailies and online portals, reveals distressing statistics of child fatalities, including 32 whose bodies were discovered across the nation.
In total, 325 children fell victim to human rights abuses, encompassing abuse and violence.
Shockingly, the report also unveils instances of heinous crimes against children, such as the rape of 14 boys, one of whom met a tragic fate. Such incidents underscore a grim reality faced by Bangladesh’s most vulnerable population.
Furthermore, the report paints a dire picture of the state of incarceration in the country, with at least 35 inmates-21 under trial and 18 convicted-losing their lives in prisons nationwide.
Dhaka Division recorded the highest number of deaths, indicating a pressing need for prison reform and oversight.
Political violence remains a significant concern, claiming the lives of 23 individuals amidst the backdrop of the 12th Jatiya Sangsad elections and city corporation elections.
Additionally, the report highlights the alarming frequency of assaults against journalists, with 81 cases of torture, harassment, and obstruction documented in the first three months of the year.
Border tensions also resulted in casualties, with six Bangladeshi citizens losing their lives due to firing and torture by the Indian Border Security Force.
Tragically, a Rohingya individual was killed, and a Bangladeshi was injured by a mortar shell fired from Myanmar.
Disturbingly, cases of sexual violence and harassment remain rampant, with 114 women falling victim to rape, and 79 individuals, including four men, experiencing various forms of sexual harassment.
The report also documents instances of domestic violence, dowry-related murders, and abuse against maids, highlighting pervasive gender-based violence in Bangladeshi society.
The ASK report serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to safeguard the rights and safety of all individuals, particularly vulnerable populations such as children and women.
