This year saw more incidents of rape and violence against women than previous years despite the Covid-19 pandemic, rights body Ain O Salish Kendra said today.
It mentioned that incidents of gang rape, murder after rape, sexual harassment and domestic violence have occurred on a regular basis.
At least 1,627 women were raped or gang raped across the country, of whom 53 were killed after rape and 14 died by suicide. The number of rape victims was 1,413 in 2019 and 732 in 2018, ASK mentioned in its annual report.
The report, made based on different media reports, was released at a virtual programme today.
ASK said the actual number of rape victims is much higher as many do not report abuse.
This year, the ASK report highlighted the violation of human rights due to the pandemic.
It said public suffering was a regular scenario in the beginning of the pandemic with denial of treatment by various public and private hospitals, Covid-19 test report forgery and artificial crisis of various life-saving elements including oxygen.
It observed that the shortcomings of Bangladesh’s preparedness became apparent after the first detection of Covid-19 cases in March.
The shortage of necessary medical equipment caused fear and anxiety among doctors and medical professionals.
Though the doctors and medical staffers were reluctant to treat patients in public and private hospitals and even in private chambers, there was no instruction or direction from the government, the report said, adding doctors and medical staffers later on — under the guidance and efforts of the government — provided service to patients including Covid-19 positive ones, putting their lives at risk which has been appreciated.
At least 127 doctors died with Covid-19 infection while at least 82 police and Rab members died with infection while discharging duties, ASK mentioned in its report.
Killing in shootout
At least 188 people were killed in so-called shootout or crossfire, the report said. The number of shootouts, however, decreased drastically after July 31 when Teknaf police shot a retired Army Major Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan in the name of shootout.
Fourteen persons including the then Teknaf OC is in jail in a case filled following the murder.
Death in custody
At least 11 people were killed in law enforcers’ custody after their arrest this year. Besides, five others were tortured to death by the law enforcers before their arrest. Eight others were shot dead, the report said.
ASK said, 75 prisoners died in different jails due to sickness and other reasons.
Abduction and enforced disappearance
Six people were victims of enforced disappearance or abduction in 2020. Of them, four were later shown arrested by law enforcers while two others are still missing.
For example, journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol went missing after he came out of his Hatirpool office on March 10, a day after a ruling party lawmaker filed a case against him and 31 others under Digital Security Act.
Fifty-three days after his disappearance, Kajol was found in Benapole but was subsequently arrested and sent to jail.
He recently came out on bail.
Women’s rights situation
As many as 201 women were sexually assaulted this year and 14 of them died by suicide. At least 14 persons including 11 males were killed while protesting the incidents.
Besides, 554 women faced domestic violence and of them 367 were killed while 90 others died by suicide while 423 faced domestic violence in 2019.
The rape of a Noakhali woman and the video of the incident circulated on social media triggered widespread protest and forced the government to incorporate the provision of capital punishment for rape, ASK highlighted in its report.
Abuse and killing of children
A total of 589 children were killed this year. Besides, 1,018 children were among rape victims while 279 others were sexually assaulted. Some 51 boys were raped. The number of children killed in 2019 was 488.
Border killings
At least 49 Bangladeshi citizens have been killed along the India-Bangladesh border by Indian Border Security Force in 2020. Of them 42 were shot dead. Though BSF promised to bring the killings to zero, it is still continuing.
The rights body said at least 15 people were killed in 2018 while the number rose to 43 in 2019.
At the programme, ASK Executive Director Golam Monowar Kamal presented a 10-point recommendation to improve human rights situation in the country.
The recommendation includes stern action against those involved in corruption in health sector and ensuring health service, taking all allegation into consideration.
It also recommended ensuring Covid-19 vaccine for all.
The rights body reiterated its demand to form independent inquiry committee for impartial investigation into the allegations of violation of all human rights including extra judicial killings, deaths in custody, incidents of enforced disappearance.
Monowar recommended stopping the ongoing trend of appointing retired bureaucrats in National Human Rights Commission, Information Commission, Law Commission, Anti-Corruption Commission and Election Commission.
