The High Court has asked the government to form a commission within 30 days under the Law Ministry in order to stop rape and violence against women.
The HC bench of Justice FRM Nazmul Ahsan and Justice KM Kamrul Kader passed the order on Sunday following a writ hearing filed in the form of public interest litigation (PIL).
The bench ordered constitution of the commission, led by an additional secretary of the ministry, comprising representatives from lawyers, judges, human rights activists, renowned personalities, media persons, physicians, and victims if any victim agrees.
The High Court also asked to form the commission and make recommendations within the next six months on how to stop rape incidents, reports UNB.
Meanwhile, the court issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain as to why rapists should not be given the capital punishment if the rape victim is under 16.
Besides it wanted to know in the rule, the reason behind government’s inaction to drop life imprisonment provision alongside the capital punishment in case of death in rape incident.
It also sought why directives would not be given to enact law for protecting the witnesses in rape cases, create database to save rapists DNA samples, ensure protection to victims through the one-stop crisis centre in every district, remain alert in publishing victims' photos in media, form separate court for rape trial, and resolve rape cases as early as possible.
Barrister Rabeya Bhuiyan stood for the writ petitioner and Deputy Attorney General Barrister ABM Abdullah Al Mahmud Bashar represented the state.
Rabeya Bhuiyan filed the writ last week.
