The Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), a legal aid and human rights organisation, has said the recovery of a child’s body after going missing cannot be considered a normal situation.
In a statement issued to the media on Sunday, ASK has expressed deep concern over the recovery of the body of 13-year-old Ishayat Shahriar Opratim, who went missing in Comilla, saying the death highlights serious concerns over child safety in the country.
The human rights organisation said a series of recent incidents involving children going missing and later being found dead, as well as rape, murder and other forms of violence, have raised serious concerns about their safety and security.
According to ASK data, the bodies of 36 children were recovered after they went missing between January and August 2026. During the same period, the organisation recorded the deaths of 254 children in various incidents.
Meanwhile, Police Headquarters data showed that 15,717 children were reported missing between January and July. Of them, 13,679 were rescued, while 2,038 remained missing. Police, however, said the figures may not be fully accurate as information on missing children is not always updated later.
ASK said protecting children’s lives, safety and dignity is a fundamental responsibility of the state. It called for effective measures in line with the Constitution, National Child Policy, Children Act and Bangladesh’s international commitments.
The organisation also called for an integrated, regularly updated national database on missing children to provide an accurate picture of those missing, rescued and still unaccounted for, and to help identify risks and develop effective preventive measures.
ASK Executive Director Tahmina Rahman said the recovery of a child’s body after going missing should not be treated as an isolated crime.
She said authorities must investigate how the child went missing, what steps were taken to locate them, whether there was any negligence or lack of coordination, and who was involved in the crime.
ASK called for swift, impartial and transparent investigations into the deaths of Opratim and other children who have recently gone missing and been found dead, and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice.
It also called for accountability if any negligence or failure in duty contributed to delays in rescuing missing children.
ASK stressed that ensuring a safe environment for children requires a swift and effective response from state institutions, coordinated preventive measures and accountability.