Rape Coverage by Media: Writ seeks HC order to shield victim’s identity

A rights organisation yesterday filed a writ petition with the High Court seeking its directive to restrain the media from publishing and broadcasting the identity of rape and sexual assault victims.

Justice Watch Foundation submitted the petition as a public interest litigation to the HC requesting it to order authorities concerned of the government to strictly enforce section 14 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000 which bans publishing and broadcasting names and photos of victims of rape and sexual assault.

In the petition, the organisation requested the HC to issue a rule asking the information secretary and the chairman and secretary of Bangladesh Press Council to show cause why their inaction and failure to strictly enforce section 14 of the act should not be declared illegal.

Executive director of Justice Watch Foundation and its lawyer Mahfuzur Rahman Milon told The Daily Star that different print and electronic media platforms and online news portals have been broadcasting and publishing names and photos of rape and sexual assault victims, including those of the O-level student who was killed after being raped, despite the ban under section 14.

The victims and their families are being maligned by the publication of their identity, he said.

Lawyer Mahfuzur Rahman Milon said the HC may hold hearing on the writ petition next Sunday.