The Supreme Court has issued a circular stating that from now onward, only female magistrates will record the statements of women and children who have been sexually harassed or raped.
The circular— signed by Supreme Court Registrar General Dr Md Zakir Hossain—was published on April 15.
The circular said the chief judicial magistrates and chief metropolitan magistrates across Bangladesh have to assign female magistrates to serve this purpose.
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In the circular, Dr Md Zakir said in the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act 2000, there is a provision for recording statements of such victims.
The Special Committee for Judicial Reforms said many rape victims feel hesitant while giving testimony to male magistrates.
Considering the circumstances, it is necessary to appoint a female magistrate to record the testimony of rape and sexually harassed women and children, the circular said.
The circular also said in the absence of a female magistrate, the authorities should send the victims to a proper magistrate to record a testimony.
