Name, shame culprits

Children falling victim to abuse, instead of keeping silent which encourages the perpetrators, should name and shame the culprits which will stop recurrence of such incidents, suggested National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman yesterday.

Meanwhile, speakers at a national convention demanded that such cases be heard at speedy trial tribunals and that effective steps be taken to protect the rights of children and bring a stop to such incidents, reports our DU correspondent.

Advising a stop to use of children in reception programmes for VIPs, Dr Mizanur said, "This nonsense procedure has to stop." He also requested mayors to provide playgrounds so that children could grow up healthy.

Dr Mizanur was addressing a discussion on child safety Bangladesh Shishu Academy organised at its office in the capital.

Underscoring the need to bring a change in attitudes,  Prof Emeritus Dr Anisuzzaman said, "Children are tortured at home. Family members find it normal to slap children. Corporal punishment should be stopped."

He suggested massive social campaigns to stop repression on children.

Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Annisul Huq stressed on quality education and proper enforcement of laws to ensure overall safety for children.

Secretary to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Nasima Begum said it was not possible for the government alone to end violence against children.

Psychiatrist Dr Mohit Kamal said after being tortured, children do not disclose it out of fear. "Such hiding kills victims every day," he added.

Bangladesh Shishu Academy Chairman Selina Hossain moderated the discussion.

Speakers at the national convention to protect rights of children, organised by Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Samajtantrik Mohila Forum and Shishu Kishor Mela in the capital's Jatiya Press Club, also demanded either a separate ministry or a directorate for children.

Prof Ajoy Roy said, "Anti repression platforms have to be formed at the micro level to protect the rights of children."

Prof Gazi MA Jalil of Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University urged including lessons on the rights of children in school curriculums.

Singer Mahmuduzzaman Babu urged immediate steps to stop the abuse domestic helps face which was commonplace. Children engaged in various inhumane works are the primary victims, he added.

Parents of children who faced abuse and were murdered demanded exemplary punishment for the perpetrators.

The organisers announced holding a convention and children-parents rally at district levels from October to December and submitting a memorandum to the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs in December.