‘Not an isolated incident’

Expressing grave concern over the incident of deaths of three boys and injuries of many due to torture at the Juvenile Development Centre in Jashore, civil society network for child rights has urged the formation of a judicial inquiry committee into the matter.

While forming the probe committee, the necessary advice related to the selection of the members and the determination of the scope of work must be taken from the Supreme Court Special Committee for Child Rights, the network mentioned through a joint statement yesterday.

According to the statement, by conducting an impartial inquiry and identifying the weaknesses of all other development centres, especially the juvenile development centres in Tongi and Kashimpur, the proposed committee can recommend necessary reforms, including what actions should be taken against the responsible persons and institutions.

The statement also demanded that in accordance with the amended Children's Act, the activities of the Child Welfare Board should be started immediately at all administrative levels, so that all children can freely express their grievances.

According to news reports, the issue of torture and abuse to children, their mysterious deaths and disappearance has become almost an everyday affair in all centres, including in Jashore. However, media only covers "suicide" or mysterious deaths, and in some cases sexual harassment. But the news of regular and continuous torture always remains invisible, it mentioned.

The network also said the Jashore incident is not an isolated one; rather it is the latest reflection of the ongoing violence on the children on the pretext of maintaining discipline.

On behalf of the civil society for child rights, Prof Emeritus Sirajul Islam Chowdhury, University of Dhaka; Dr Tofail Ahmed, vice-chancellor, University of Britannia, Comilla; Advocate ZI Khan Panna, Supreme Court, and member, Bangladesh Bar Council; Shamsul Huda, executive director, ALRD; Shaheen Anam, executive director, Manusher Jonno Foundation; Advocate Jyotirmoy Barua, Supreme Court; Advocate Syeda Rizwana Hasan, chief executive, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association; Afsan Chowdhury, historian, writer and teacher, Brac University; international development worker Laila Khandaker; Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, executive director, Coast Trust; writer and researcher Dipu Mahmud; development professional, theatre worker and rights activist Asif Munir; Sirajud Dahar Khan, executive director, Interaction; Shah-e-Mobin Jinnah, executive director, CDA, Dinajpur; development worker and researcher Navleshwar Tripura; development worker and researcher Pulak Raha; researcher and economist Nazmi Sabina; Gowhar Naeem Wara, member secretary, Disaster Forum; and poet Farooq Wasif issued the statement.