Bangladesh sets a good example

24 January 2012, 18:00 PM

Jordan Riak, Executive Director, Parents and Teachers against Violence in Education (PTAVE), Califor

Photo: Liton Rahman / Driknews

The Bangladesh High Court ruling by Justices Md. Imman Ali and Sheikh Hasan Arif on January 13, 2011 that outlaws corporal punishment in schools greatly serves Bangladesh and is a significant lesson to all. Sir Frank Peters also deserves a special round of applause for his spirited and incessant effort to warn Bangladesh of the consequences of corporal punishment, and for helping to bring about a historic change. In their summary, the honourable HC judges described corporal punishment as “cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment and a clear violation of a child's fundamental right to life, liberty and freedom.” Sir Frank Peters described it as: “a form of mental and physical torture that causes pain, humiliation, irreparable damage, violates the human rights of the child and teaches hate, violence, resentment, vengeance and disrespect.” Loving and concerned parents here in the United States of America were inspired by your HC decision in 2011. They are now anxiously waiting for the passage of an anti-corporal punishment bill through Congress by Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy. The Parents and Teachers against Violence in Education (PTAVE) wholeheartedly wishes the people and children of Bangladesh success on the first anniversary of the anti-corporal punishment law.