'Stand up for your rights'
A group of women's rights activists yesterday demanded exemplary punishment for all the accused in the Noakhali gang-rape case.
They also demanded strict punishment for those involved in abusing women and children and urged the country's women to get united and stand up for their rights.
The demand came from a protest rally under the banner, “Bam Ganatantrik Nari Sangathan Samuho”, a platform of women's rights activists, comprising of six left-leaning organisations. It was held in front of Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.
They said police have so far arrested 10 persons along with the prime accused in the Subarnachar rape case. All of them have been remanded and two of the accused already gave confessional statements.
“We hope that the arrests are not an eye-wash and the offenders will be given exemplary punishment,” said Runa Noor, a member of Communist Party of Bangladesh's (CPB) women cell.
Shampa Basu, general secretary of Samajtantrik Mahila Forum, claimed that 10 children were raped and killed in the last 10 days since the December 30 election and police are yet to arrest all the culprits.
She said according to newspaper reports, 928 women and girls were raped in the country last year, but the actual number would be much higher.
“Among the rape incidents, 97 percent of victims do not get justice while the rest remain stuck in lengthy legal procedures, leaving scope for the perpetrators getting bail in the cases,” Shampa alleged. The accused after getting bail can abscond or threaten the victims and witnesses. AN Rasheda of CPB's women cell presided over the rally.
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