2024-08-04 14:49:47
From the news reports published in different media of Bangladesh, the statement given by Sanjay Wijesekera, Director of the South Asia Region of the United Nations Children’s Organization (UNICEF) on August 2, has come to the attention of the Bangladesh government. UNICEF confirmed that at least 32 children were killed during protests in July, the statement said. Besides, many children were injured and many were detained.
Regarding this claim by UNICEF, a statement from the Ministry of Information on Saturday (August 3) said that the government does not have any information about the death of 32 children at the moment. Moreover, the statement by UNICEF’s regional director for Asia does not mention any reliable sources of information. No names, identities, profiles or lists of the victims are mentioned. However, if the list of 32 child deaths is provided by UNICEF with references to reliable sources, the Bangladesh government will take appropriate action in this regard.
The statement also said that even one unwanted death of people of Bangladesh, including children, is not desired by the government and the government will ensure justice by investigating every death in violence centered on the quota movement through an independent judicial commission.
The Unicef statement also referred to the issue of illegal detention of children. The government’s clear statement in this context is that the law enforcement agencies did not knowingly detain any child illegally. Further, instructions have been given to take appropriate action as soon as it is known that there is any mistake in this regard.
It is to be noted that in the case of the murder of policeman Ghiyas Uddin in the capital’s Jatrabari due to the violence of the quota movement, the issue of bringing a 17-year-old, three-month-and-eight-day-old teenager under the law has been discussed. 16 out of 17 accused in the case of killing and hanging the member. Finally, the court canceled his remand application and ordered him to be sent to the Child Development Center in Gazipur by providing facilities according to the Children’s Act.
The Bangladesh government under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is always very sensitive about children and determined to protect children’s rights, the Ministry of Information said. The government has condemned and expressed deep sorrow over the recent deaths of some children in the violence surrounding the quota agitation. Besides, it is working with the highest priority to bring the killers of children under justice. At the same time, the government is urging domestic and international organizations not to be misled by any misinformation or rumors about the number of child deaths.