Women’s rights organisations express anger over increasing rape in country

Various women's rights organisations in the country have expressed anger and deep concern over the recent brutal stripping and torturing of a woman in Noakhali which went viral on social media.

The organisations including Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), Naripokkho, Breaking the Silence, Praggoswar, CWCS and We Can strongly condemned the incident and the perpetrators.

MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said, "We are stunned and deeply saddened by this incident.

"Such incidents are increasing due to the culture of impunity. Women rarely get justice for the repression they suffer."

She further said that rape is a non-bailable offence, but the accused get bail using various loopholes in the laws and political influence.

Ain o Salish Kendra said a total of 975 women fell victim to rape in the first nine months of the current year. Of them, 208 were gang-raped.

The organisations demanded exemplary punishment for culprits who rape women and children, and for them to be given the highest punishment possible under the existing law. They think that such crimes are increasing due to the lack of exemplary punishment.

They also hoped that the highest level of the government should look into the matter. They have called for a proper investigation into the incident and punishment of the culprits through due legal process.