A parliamentary oversight panel has recommended that a specific provision be added to ‘Children Act-2013’ to prohibit the use of children as political tools.
It also recommended that the Act should stop the abuse many children face in orphanages and educational institutions and child trafficking too.
The discussion on the ‘Children Act-2013’ took place in a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Social Welfare on Wednesday.
“The Bill that is in Parliament does not have provision to stop children from being used for political motives. A proposal has been made for its inclusion in the bill,” Apu Ukil a member of the committee, told bdnews24.com.
“Children face various abuses at madrasas and orphanages. The committee recommended that these also be stopped,” he added.
The committee suggested that state and society both take greater care in order to stop children from being trafficked.
The Children Act-2013 was placed in Parliament in Apr 30 to ensure security, welfare and rights of children. It was sent to the parliamentary committee for review and report.
The issue of children’s use in politics recently came into light following the overwhelming presence of madrasa students at Hifazat-e Islam’s Dhaka siege programme on May 5 and a political rally in Motijheel on the same day.
The Bill, ‘Children Act-2013’, will again be placed in Parliament on Jun 5 after the addition of the provisions discussed by the committee.
The proposed law also suggests institution of a children desk up in every police station and that each station has one officer or Sub-Inspector designated to look into children-related issues.
The committee also advised the government to form a court especially for children.
“If a child is concerned in a legal case, it must be dealt with in a children’s court, despite the nature of his/or her involvement and the law the case is filed under.”
Provision has been proposed to forbid children from being mentioned in charge sheets alongside adults. A child facing charges must have bail rights despite the nature of the alleged offence.
The panel proposes that these cases must be judged within 360 days of the minor’s first appearance in a court of law. The time limit may be extended to another 60 days, if necessary.
No child can be sentenced to death or life imprisonment, the committee says. It is also against the arrest of any child aged below 9 years and if a child above that age is arrested, they cannot be handcuffed or tied with rope.
A probation officer must be appointed to every district, upazila and metropolitan to ensure that children rights are not violated.
The Bill also prohibits media reports, photos and information on cases involving a child that may lead to their identity revealed directly or otherwise.
Violation of these rights can lead to one year in prison and Tk 50,000 in fine, the new bill states.
The aim and cause of the bill states, ‘Children Act-1974’ needs update to ensure child security, strengthening of rights and development of many facts and adjust with international trends and changing times.”
Source: Bd news24