We are deeply saddened by the brutal murder of 12-year-old Md Karakul Islam in Khulna, who was killed by having air pumped into him via a garage air compressor.
It is highly disturbing his killers reportedly felt entitled to act on their grudge that he had left employment at their garage as he was frequently beaten there. It shows cold calculation on the part of the accused that they waited several months for a chance to carry out their evil act.
This horrific killing follows shortly after the high-profile murder of Sheikh Samiul Alam Rajon, the 13-year-old boy in Sylhet, whose torturing to death by a group of men was filmed in a harrowing video.
It is not enough to call for Rajon and Rakib’s muderers to be held to account and punished to the full extent of the law.
Questions must also be asked about how one of the perpetrators in Rajon’s case apparently bribed his way out of the country. Although he has since been caught, an open inquiry needs to be made into whether authorities were culpable in the escape.
As a society, we need to reach deeper to address the complacency which places children at risk in the first place.
It is easy to express revulsion at Rakib’s murder and to call for action against employers who beat any staff, let alone children.
What we should be asking, however, is why people are not surprised that a 12-year-old had to work in garage, or a murderer was so easily able to flee abroad?
Millions of children are denied education. Some are vulnerable to employers who habitually lash out at those weaker than themselves. Even within families and schools, a widespread tendency to cover up criminality leaves many children open to abuse and violence.
Our laws to protect children will not succeed in helping the vulnerable while society tolerates such behaviour.
Justice for Rajon and Rakib demands more than punishing their murderers. Everyone needs must learn to stop turning a blind eye.
