Using children for political interests should be banned immediately through the implementation of a law, speakers said at meeting held in the capital yesterday.
They mentioned the suffering of juveniles during Hefazat-e-Islam’s Dhaka blockade programme on May 5 of this year.
Political parties competing for the forthcoming general elections should incorporate issues regarding child rights in their election manifestos for the development of the deprived children in the country, said Sultana Kamal, Executive Director of ASK.
The meeting, held at the BIAM Auditorium, was jointly organised by Save the Children International, Ain O Salish Kendra and the Child Rights Governance Assembly (CRGA).
“Political parties should include our demands for ensuring child rights and the demands should be met,” said human rights activist Sultana Kamal.
The other demands placed at the meeting included incorporating issues of deprived children in the local and national budget, implementing policies regarding the portrayal of children in the media, and implementing the Child Law 2013.
AKM Masud Ali, executive director of INCIDIN Bangladesh, said: “At least 45% of our total population is children and among them, around 400,000 children are involved in labour.
“A separate department is needed for addressing child rights. If political parties mention this in their election manifestos then it might be implemented later,” he added.
Lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha said: “A special committee should be formed under every Upazila Parishad and Union Parishad for providing services to children. The government should allocate funds for that committee for the development of the children.
“Children are the worst victims of road accidents. A law should be enacted to ensure security for children on the streets, particularly the street children,” said Badsha.
The speakers stressed the importance of preventing children from begging and underscored the need for recruitment of doctors to every school to ensure healthcare for the children.
Enam Ahmed Chowdhury, member of the advisory council to the chairperson of BNP, said: “Election manifestos incorporate a lot of issues, but few of them were implemented. So, implementation is a must.”
Children participating in meeting also pointed out issues which are endangering the security of children in the society.
Shoma, a student of class eight, said: “Student politics should be banned for the sake of our security.”
“The Chhatra League [student wing of the ruling party] members often tease school-going girls but people remain silent because of their political influence. Laws should be enacted to stop their violent activities,” she said.
Local MP Shagufta Yasmin Emily, also a whip in parliament, was present at the programme.
