Rapists not being brought to book due to prolonged trial process: Kazi Reazul Hoque
Speakers at discussion demand govt monitoring
Expressing concerns over delay in trial of rape cases, speakers at a discussion yesterday demanded proper government monitoring -- to ensure speedy trial in rape cases and maximum punishment for rapists.
Addressing a discussion at Jatiya Press Club, they also urged various social organisations to chalk out effective programmes against rape.
The discussion, titled “Role of social organisations in preventing rape and violence to women” was arranged by Dhaka metropolitan unit of Saarc Human Rights Foundation.
On Thursday, the High Court ordered women and children repression prevention tribunals across the country to prioritise trial of rape and murder after rape cases, to dispose of them within the stipulated 180 days.
Speaking at yesterday’s event, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Kazi Reazul Hoque said many rapists are not being brought to book properly due to prolonged trial in rape cases.
He said justice should be ensured immediately in cases including those of Nusrat in Feni and Rifat in Borguna. “Otherwise, people of the country will lose confidence over the existing trial procedure.”
Reazul Haque stressed strengthening a “cooperative resistance” against rape and raising awareness against all forms of injustice, persecution and irregularities.
“Different social platforms could be used for raising awareness among the people instead of spreading rumours,” he added.
In his speech, Dr Abul Kalam Azad -- a professor at Jahangirnagar University, said that values of humanity must be upheld in the society irrespective of gender, religion and caste, to prevent incidents of rape and repression.
Prof M Abed Ali, secretary general of Saarc Human Rights Foundation, said general people -- especially women and children -- are losing their freedom of movement due to some perverted-minded people.
“Punishment must be ensured for rapists,” he added.
With Kazi Reazul Hoque in the chair, the organisation’s vice president Khan Mohammad Bablu, finance Secretary Chitra Rani Sarker and Maj Gen (retd) Md Abdur Rashid also spoke at the event, among others.