In protest against the ongoing incidents of rape across the country, the Anti-Sexual Harassment Coalition held a demonstration at Shahbagh in Dhaka.
During the protest, speakers called on the government to amend laws to prevent rape.
The protest took place at 3:00pm on Tuesday, March 11, organized by the Anti-Sexual Harassment Coalition at Shahbagh.
The Bangladesh Student Union, Revolutionary Student Alliance, Socialist Student Front, and Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) expressed solidarity during the event to ensure women's overall security, dignity, and equal rights.
Cultural activist Aparajita Sangita said: "If the rule of law becomes weak, such incidents will continue to occur. The rule of law in the country has weakened due to the formation of an influence circle. The abuse of power has cornered the rule of law."
Goutam Chandra Sheel, President of Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), said: "The extent of violence against women has reached alarming levels, and there is a significant lack of effective measures by the government to curb sexual violence."
Women’s rights activist Sangita Imam said: "There are several obstacles in ensuring justice for rape crimes. The reluctance of the victim or their family, victim-blaming, absence of witnesses in court, threats to the victim's family and witnesses, tampering with police or hospital reports under influence, and prolonged trial processes leading to settlement are some of the challenges."
ABM Mahmudul Hasan Shibly, Convenor of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Coalition, said: "Police stations, hospitals, and courts — these three entities are involved in the judicial process following a rape incident. Legal weaknesses in these areas have become evident today. The lack of clear and up-to-date laws regarding rape trials is a major barrier in ensuring justice, which is weakening the rule of law in the country. This has led to the creation of an influence circle, where abuse of power has marginalized the rule of law."
He presented four demands focusing on legal amendments and their implementation:
1. Formation of a Special Rapid Trial Tribunal for Rape Cases: Police must submit an investigation report within 15 days. The provision of extended investigation time under section 18(2) of the existing law must be abolished, and verdicts should be delivered within 60 days.
2. Formation of Women’s Cells in Every Police Station and Establishment of a Hotline Service: Ensure medical examinations of rape victims within two hours of the incident and mandate the preservation of all rape-related evidence with utmost caution.
3. Inclusion of All Forms of Sexual Violence, Including Insertion of Objects and Sexual Harassment of Boys, Under Rape Laws: The "two-finger test" for women victims of rape should be banned, and instructions from higher courts to implement this should be followed.
4. Legal Protection for Rape Victims and Witnesses: Ensure legal protection for rape victims and witnesses, and take strong legal actions against those involved in resolving rape cases through informal means.