Rape, Violence against Women: Form commission within 30 days

HC directs govt; asks why no death penalty for rape of children under 16

The High Court yesterday directed the government to form a commission within 30 days under the law ministry to stop rape and violence against women.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities to explain why rapists should not be awarded capital punishment if the rape victim is under 16.

Besides, it wanted to know in the rule why the government’s inaction to drop life imprisonment provision alongside the capital punishment in case of death in rape incident should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahsan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader came up with order and rule after hearing a writ filed in the form of public interest litigation.

It ordered to form the commission, led by a law ministry additional secretary, comprising representatives from lawyers, judges, rights activists, renowned personalities, media persons, physicians, and victims if any victim agrees.

The HC also asked the commission to be formed to make recommendations within the next six months on how to stop rape incidents.

It also sought why directives would not be given to enact the law for protection of witnesses in rape cases, create database to save rapists DNA samples, ensure protection for victims through the one-stop crisis centre in every district, remain alert in publishing images of victims in media, form separate court for rape trial and resolve rape cases as early as possible.

Rabeya Bhuiyan stood for the writ petitioner and Deputy Attorney General ABM Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar represented the state.

Source: The Daily Star