Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that a draft to amend the rape case law is ready. He said, 'The draft will be completed in a day or two and submitted for final approval.'
The advisor said these to the reporters at the Secretariat on Wednesday.
He held a meeting with the leaders of the anti-rape forum at the Secretariat. A 25-member delegation from the forum was present at the meeting.
Stating that the leaders of the anti-rape forum have been informed about the government's steps to amend the Women and Children Abuse Prevention Act, the Law Adviser said, “We held a consultation meeting with everyone concerned the day before yesterday (Monday) and yesterday (Tuesday). We have made a draft (amended Women and Children Abuse Prevention Act) law, which we are circulating to some stakeholders on Wednesday. We will try to tighten the law as soon as possible. I told them that the trial of rape cases should not only be speedy, but also be sure and proper.”
The representatives of the anti-rape platform said, “We believe that if the five demands are implemented properly, the number of rape cases will decrease. The trial process of the Magura incident will be kept under observation.”
The points of the anti-rape platform are:
1. In the case of 8 year old girl, a special tribunal against rape and oppression should be formed to submit the investigation report within seven days and the maximum punishment of death sentence should be ordered, subject to the completion of the trial process of the girl’s rapist within one month. The safety of her family should be ensured during the trial process.
2. In the trial of every rape case, a special tribunal against rape and oppression should be formed to complete the trial process quickly and ensure that all rapes are tried.
3. The Home Affairs Adviser, Law Advisor, and Women and Child Affairs Adviser should be held accountable for their failures on the issue of women and children’s safety.
4. The formation of 'Anti-Atrocities on Women and Children Cells' in all educational institutions and workplaces and the effectiveness of the cell must be ensured.
5. The laws related to rape, sexual assault and cyberbullying through social media must be amended to provide clear and appropriate definitions of the crimes.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
