In order to ensure the full development and welfare of children, it has been demanded to enact laws to stop physical and mental punishment of children in all cases. At the same time, Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh has called for appropriate initiatives to change social attitudes.
The organization made this call on Tuesday (April 30) on the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Physical and Mental Punishment of Children.
According to the organization, intimidation, hitting, cruel and degrading treatment of children through any degree of physical force hinders the normal development of the child and undermines the child’s dignity. All children have the right to grow up in a safe environment free from violence. Therefore, the Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh calls for the effective implementation of the High Court’s directives regarding physical and mental punishment of children in order to ensure the normal development and welfare of children. There is a call for specific laws to stop such punishments and raising awareness in all institutional and non-institutional structures including the family.
According to statistics from the human rights organization Law and Arbitration Center (ASK), 186 children were victims of torture in the first three months of 2024. Out of which 12 were tortured by teachers and 16 were sexually abused by teachers. In 2023, a total of 1 thousand 13 children were victims of torture. Besides, numerous such incidents remain unreported. In particular, in most cases the fact that children are victims of psychological abuse is not given due importance. In addition, apart from educational institutions, there are allegations of physical and mental punishment and humiliating treatment of children at the family or social level or in different structures such as residential management of educational institutions, day care centers, coaching centers etc. But there is very little precedent for taking necessary action after receiving the complaint subject to investigation. Physical and psychological punishment of children affects children’s physical and mental health development and education. Creates mistrust towards family and society in them.
Human rights organizations Law and Arbitration Center and Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) filed writs challenging the increasing physical abuse of students by teachers and the continued failure of authorities to prevent it. In view of that writ, in July 2010, the High Court ruled that all forms of corporal punishment in educational institutions were unconstitutional and a violation of human rights. In view of this verdict, the Ministry of Education issued a circular in 2011 to ban 11 types of physical and two types of mental punishment in educational institutions of Bangladesh. However, statistics show that even after the circular is issued, the protection of children is not ensured.
According to the organization, it is necessary to make laws by abolishing punishment in all cases to ensure the protection of children, to ensure their complete mental development and to make them good citizens. It is very important to change existing laws that support the punishment of children (such as section 89 of the Penal Code). Bangladesh is committed to ensuring children’s rights as a signatory state to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. According to Article 19 (Treatment of the Child) of the Charter, to protect the child from all forms of physical and mental abuse, including sexual abuse, abuse or exploitation, from injury or torture, neglect or neglect, abuse or exploitation and sexual abuse while in the care of the child. Participating States are responsible for taking appropriate legal, administrative and social measures. In addition, UN Sustainable Development Goal 16.2 aims to end all forms of violence and torture, including child abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.
Ahead of the International Day, Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh has made some demands. They are-
1. To ensure the protection of children in all spheres including educational institutions, take appropriate steps to enact laws and make necessary reforms.
2. Appropriate implementation of the instructions of the High Court and the circular of the Ministry of Education.
3. Playing an active, proactive and responsible role of the state to create public awareness about child rights.
4. Taking programs to increase awareness and skills to make parents, teachers, media workers aware and sensitized. Besides, to strengthen the necessary monitoring system to ensure proper implementation of the law.
AAM/KSR
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