Acting Chairman of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Tarique Rahman on Friday urged the government authorities concerned to play responsible roles in ensuring the safety and dignity of women and children.
"Any form of violence or harassment against women, adolescents, and children is a clear violation of human rights, so I call on the relevant government authorities to play responsible roles in ensuring the safety and dignity of women and children," he said.
Tarique Rahman made the call in a post on his verified Facebook page expressing profound shock and sorrow at the death of the eight-year old rape victim of Magura.
He prayed for the eternal peace of her departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family.
The victim, who was undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka due to sexual assaults, breathed her last on Thursday.
The eight-year old child was admitted to the CMH in critical condition on March 8.
In the Facebook post, Tarique Rahman added that the brutal death of the child has saddened him as much as the countrymen.
"The news of her death has left the entire country stunned," he said, adding that this death is unacceptable in any way.
The BNP acting chairman said this incident has shamed the people of the country.
Tarique Rahman wrote, "I had initially announced her medical and legal assistance after learning about the incident. During the past fascist government, rapists were not brought to justice but were rewarded in various ways and that is why the same incidents are being repeated in the country."
Rapists remain unpunished frequently through the loopholes in the law and the protracted trial, he said, adding: "As a result, the level of rape is increasing day by day."
BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman went on saying that rape is not only a crime, but also a grave affront to humanity and a horrific picture of the moral degradation of society.
These barbaric incidents are happening in the society making the foundation of humanity and morality questionable, he added.
"We see that rape incidents are not stopping even in the holy month of Ramadan," he said.
He urged people from all walks of life to come forward to prevent such heinous acts of oppression, harassment and rape that are happening against women and children in different parts of the country.
He underscored the need for creating a comprehensive child protection system to ensure safe movement, civil liberties and digital security for women and children.
"The victims and their families should be given maximum protection legally," he further said.
Tarique Rahman called for ensuring exemplary punishment for such crimes for establishing peace and justice in society.
"This incident is not only corrupting the present society, but also setting a terrible example for future generations," he continued.
He stressed on taking measures so that no one dares to commit such crimes in the days to come. �"BSS
