Rana Flowers, Unicef's representative in Bangladesh, has criticized media coverage and rights violations surrounding the disappearance and rescue of an 11-year-old girl from Mohammadpur, Dhaka.
In a statement issued on Monday, Flowers said: "Whenever a child uses social media, they access a world of information, entertainment, and invaluable opportunities for learning and connection – but also potential dangers. Such was the case recently, in Bangladesh, where an 11-year-old girl, went missing after being contacted on social media by an adult man."
She continued: "She was subsequently rescued far from home, in a district in north Bengal. The case has sparked deep concern across the country and has raised concerns regarding how this could happen, whether children are being properly guided, and whether enough is being done to protect children."
Children are not small adults; their brains, emotions, psycho-social and physical development are a work in progress, the official noted. "They are more vulnerable; their safety and well-being must be of the highest priority."
Flowers said: "While the specifics of this case remain unclear, how such cases are handled can make an enormous difference to the recovery, the dignity of the victim.
"While Unicef commends the efforts of law enforcement in rescuing the child, they also express serious concern about certain aspects of the case and the handling of the situation, particularly regarding violations of child protection legislation and a lack of ethical reporting from some media."
What happened in the course of this child’s rescue is deeply disturbing, she added. "Instead of being protected, shielded, and supported by police, she was questioned on camera about her situation, exposing her to further psychosocial damage."
Flowers said the Children Act, 2013 clearly outlines how this case should have been handled. "Section 54(1) mandates specific protocols for managing female children – requiring that they are interviewed sensitively by a female police officer, accompanied and supported by a trusted adult. Section 91 emphasizes the role of Child Affairs Police Officers (CAPOs) in dealing with children in contact with the law."
She said that shockingly, the interview was taped, providing evidence that the law was not followed. But even more egregious, is the fact that the footage of the interview was then shared on social media with no effort to shield the identity of the child, she added.
At this point, ethical social media would remove the post immediately, Flowers remarked. "Instead, the video was picked up and displayed by the mainstream media – all of whom are acutely aware of the law that requires the identity of the girl and details of the case to be kept confidential."
She went on to say: "The media went on to share several videos and CCTV footage, and to my horror describing the adult male as her 'boyfriend' - in doing so reinforcing a dangerous and false narrative."
Flowers said: "This child is a victim. She does not need blame or scrutiny, she needs protection, privacy, and healing. She is an 11-year-old child. An 11-year-old is not developmentally capable of making informed decisions about relationships with adults. A child’s brain, emotions, and judgment are still forming.
"No child is ready for an adult relationship. And no adult should ever exploit a child’s trust, curiosity, or vulnerability. The law of Bangladesh is already very clear on this. The Children Act, 2013 calls for Child Affairs Police Officers who are properly trained in working with children in all police stations and the establishment of child-sensitive courts. This should apply to every child in contact with the law."
The Unicef official said: "Media plays a crucial role in protecting children. Ethical reporting must prioritize the child’s best interests, safeguarding their identity through anonymity, pseudonyms, voice disguises, and removing identifying details. Sharing information that could expose a child victim can cause lasting harm."
"What she needs now is to heal. And healing is only possible when her right to privacy is respected—by the authorities, by the media, and by the entire society," she concluded.
