'Police negligence bars justice to women, children'

Law Minister Moudud Ahmed speaks at a stakeholder's meeting organised by Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights (BSEHR) at Cirdap auditorium in the city yesterday. PHOTO: STAR

The meeting was organised by Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights (BSEHR) at Cirdap auditorium in the city to sort out the problems and figure out some recommendations to ensure human rights.

Speaking as chief guest at the meeting, Law Minister Moudud Ahmed said despite its limitations the government is taking measures and enacting laws to ensure justice.

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He said about one third of 72,000 prisoners are convicts while the rest are awaiting justice due to limitations of judicial facilities.

Moudud said the government has set up speedy tribunal courts to ensure justice within two months and 14 days, and would formulate new laws to ensure safety and justice to women and children.

Besides, a separate division in police department will be formed to investigate the criminal cases, he added.

Acknowledging the misuse of Section 54 under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), the minister said, "Police should not arrest anyone under the special power act unless they have solid ground."

Journalist Amir Khasru of daily Ittefaq, and Team Leader of Manusher Jonno Shaheen Anam also spoke as special guests.

Advocate Alena Khan of BSEHR presented a keynote paper in the morning session with Shireen Sheikh Mainuddin in the chair.

Alena said as many policemen are ignorant of the laws relating to children and women, they fail to file the cases properly depriving them of justice.

She alleged that members of the law enforcing agencies often take bribe and neglect in investigating. Besides, insufficient policemen and their low pay scale also constrain the proper investigation.

Alena said late forensic tests of the rape victims, lack of sufficient forensic accessories and delay in submitting the forensic report also hamper the justice.

The judicial department, specially the public prosecutors, are hardly sensitive in dealing with the cases of women, and often do not act properly unless bribed, she added.

Alena said the government legal aid should be extended to union level.

UM Habibun Nessa, programme head (Justice and Violence) of Save The Children (UK), and Dr Faustina Pereira, director of Ain O Salish Kendra, spoke on the keynote paper and gave their recommendations in the afternoon session with Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelly in the chair.