253 women, girls raped in three months

HRSS also reports political violence, custodial deaths, journo attacks during July-Sept

Violence against women and children remained a major human rights concern in Bangladesh during July-September, according to a quarterly report by rights body Human Rights Support Society (HRSS).

Released yesterday, the report, based on reports published in 16 national newspapers, HRSS-collected information and fact-finding reports, recorded 783 women and girls subjected to violence and 733 children subjected to abuse.

At least 253 women and girls were raped, including 154 minors. Forty-two were gang-raped, 12 were killed after being raped and one died by suicide. Another 220, including 103 children, faced sexual harassment.

Dowry-related violence left 13 women dead and 17 injured, while two others died by suicide. Domestic violence left 137 women dead and 68 injured, while 72 others died by suicide.

Of the 733 children, 189 died and 544 suffered physical or psychological abuse. The report did not specify the circumstances of their deaths.

Political violence left 17 people dead and 1,227 injured in 183 incidents, including 161 involving internal BNP conflicts or clashes with other political groups.

Internal BNP conflicts accounted for 69 incidents, leaving nine dead and at least 540 injured. Another 31 clashes between the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami left one dead and 338 injured.

HRSS attributed the violence to political rivalry, internal party disputes, disputes over control of land and businesses, and extortion.

Mob violence and lynching left 54 people dead and 145 injured in 137 incidents linked to allegations of theft, robbery, religious insult, rape and attempted rape, as well as other disputes.

At least 37 people died in prisons, including 14 convicted prisoners and 23 awaiting trial. Six others died in law enforcement custody or allegedly due to torture.

The report also documented 88 incidents of assault or harassment involving 135 journalists. Of them, 63 were injured, 27 humiliated, 18 threatened and nine detained.

Law enforcers allegedly obstructed 18 meetings and rallies, leaving 128 people injured and eight detained.

Labour-related abuse left 71 workers dead and at least 260 injured in 251 incidents. Separately, 164 workers died in workplace accidents, which HRSS attributed to unsafe working conditions and inadequate protective equipment.

One domestic worker was murdered, three died under mysterious circumstances and three were subjected to abuse. All but two of the victims were children or adolescents.

Six attacks on minority communities left six people injured and involved attacks on or vandalism of two temples, five idols and four homes.

HRSS Executive Director Izazul Islam called for coordinated efforts by the state and society to strengthen the rule of law and urged the government to take effective measures to prevent violence against women and children, political and mob violence, attacks on journalists and minorities, unsafe working conditions, and deaths in custody and prisons.