Commission to be formed to stop rape and violence against women: Law minister

As the number of rape and violence against women is increasing, the government is considering formation of a commission to stop such incidents.

"We will very soon start working to constitute a commission in line with the High Court directive in order to stop rape and violence against women," Law Minister Anisul Huq told The Daily Star today.

Replying to a question, he said, "We will bring necessary amendment to the Nari O Shishu Nirjaton Daman Ain (Women and Children Repression Prevention Act)-2000 to ensure proper punishment for the offenders".

The number of rape victims in Bangladesh has doubled in 2019 in a year as a total of 1,413 women were either gang-raped or subjected to rape last year. Of them, 76 were killed after rape and 10 others died by suicide, according to a study report of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), a leading rights organisation.

According to the report, the number of rape victims was 732 in 2018 and 818 in 2017.

Meanwhile, the HC, following a writ petition on January 19, directed the government to form a commission under the law ministry to stop rape and violence against women.

It ordered the law secretary to form the commission, led by an additional secretary, comprising representatives from lawyers, judges, rights activists, renowned personalities, media persons, physicians, and victims if any victim agrees, within 30 days.

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

At the same time, the bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahasan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader issued a rule asking the authorities to explain why rapists should not be awarded capital punishment if the rape victim is under 16.

Besides, the bench wanted to know 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.