PRESS RELEASE
The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) expresses its concern regarding violence against girls and
the juvenile justice system in Bangladesh at the 34th session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Geneva, 30 September 2003
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will today begin its examination of the implementation of the
Convention on the Rights of the Child in Bangladesh. In its alternative country report entitled "Violence
against Girls in Bangladesh," which has been submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the World
Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) expresses its grave concern at reports of violence against girls at the
hands of both private individuals and state officials. OMCT also submitted an alternative report on juvenile
justice to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Early marriage is common in Bangladesh, with half of women being married before they are 18 although legally
a girl cannot be married before this age. This practice makes girls particularly vulnerable to domestic violence,
which is reportedly widespread. Girls are also especially vulnerable to dowry related violence in Bangladesh.
Despite a law prohibiting the payment of dowry, this practice continues and the consequences are severe.
First, failure to meet the dowry demands often results in verbal and physical abuse of the wife.
Physical abuse includes beating, burning with cigarettes, withholding food, sleep deprivation and denial of
medical treatment.
Acid throwing is another alarming manifestation of violence against girls and women in Bangladesh. The reasons
for the acid throwing attacks include the refusal of an offer of affair or marriage, illegal physical relations,
dowry disputes, domestic fights and arguments over property. In 2002, 362 people were burnt through acid
violence, among that number, 138 were girls and 188 were women, and with respect to these incidents, only 172
cases were filed.
Girls in Bangladesh are also reportedly victims of rape in large numbers, including by supporters of the BNP,
the government in power.
There are exceedingly difficult obstacles to overcome in reporting a case of rape, including the requirement
of an eyewitness to the crime. Politically motivated rapes of ethnic minority girls and women often go unpunished
and there is a lack of access to redress and reparation.
In relation with the juvenile justice system, OMCT vividly disapproves of the setting of a child's criminal
responsibility at 7 years. In addition, Bangladeshi legislation provides police with extensive powers of arrest,
which have led to regular abuses. Grounds of arrest include "vagrancy", "uncontrollable behaviour" and being
"victim of crime." The latter particularly affects girls who suffer secondary victimisation by the justice system.
Juvenile courts have the power to commit a child to a certified institution for up to ten years, a maximum which
is unduly high.
Also, some children have reportedly been detained for up to five years while awaiting trial on charges that only
carry a punishment of 2-3 years. Deprivation of liberty for children should be measures of last resort and for the
shortest time possible, and the government should develop adequate diversion programmes and alternatives to
imprisonment for juvenile offenders.
Additionally, conditions in correction centres and in jails do not conform with international instruments, with
nutrition, educational opportunities, and sanitary conditions far below minimal standards.
The circumstances of detention are particularly troublesome for children of women prisoners (who may stay in
detention with their mothers up until the age of six).
Overall, the government has failed to protect girls from violence whether at the hands of private individuals
or state officials and its juvenile justice system severely violates children's rights.
OMCT's report concludes Bangladesh has not fulfilled its obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
For copies of the alternative report on "Violence against Girls in Bangladesh" and "The rights of the child in
Bangladesh - Focus on Juvenile Justice" or for further information on OMCT's programme on Violence against Women
