As many as 304 children are currently held in custody alongside their mothers across 68 jails in the country, said Child Rights Coalition in Bangladesh yesterday.

In a press statement, the coalition highlighted that prisons are unsuitable for children, and the rights of children with convicted mothers are overlooked, resulting in unjust punishment alongside their mothers.

Both national and international laws mandate that states have a responsibility to safeguard the well-being of all children. The coalition pointed out that the existing legal framework falls short of adequately protecting the rights of children whose mothers are convicted.

It urged authorities to take effective measures to safeguard their human rights and ensure their physical and mental health development.

It also called for urgent attention to the development of necessary infrastructure that fosters a conducive environment for the well-rounded growth of children within the confines of prisons.

The Child Rights Advocacy Coalition in Bangladesh comprises 10 organisations and networks, both national and international, dedicated to championing children's rights since 2013.