Bangladesh: Fierce protests as eight-year-old rape victim dies

In Bangladesh, an eight-year-old girl tragically passed away on Thursday after being raped, an event that has sparked nationwide protests. This heinous case has once again brought public attention to the issue of child sexual assault, prompting calls for the government to take stricter measures to protect vulnerable groups. The public demands immediate action to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

According to the victim's mother's report, the girl was raped while visiting her sister in Magura city between the evening of March 5th and the early morning of the following day. The sister's 18-year-old husband, along with his parents and brother, have been arrested and detained pending trial. Upon hearing the news of the girl's death, angry citizens gathered in front of the house where the incident allegedly took place on Thursday evening and set it on fire, expressing their strong outrage. The community is demanding justice for the victim and severe punishment for the perpetrators.

The government's Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate (ISPR) issued a statement stating that the girl passed away at approximately 1:00 PM local time (07:00 GMT) on Thursday due to three cardiac arrests. The statement noted, "Although doctors successfully stabilized her condition twice, the heart failed to restart after the third episode." The girl had been receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka, the capital, for six days since being admitted on March 8th. The medical team did everything possible to save her life.

According to local media reports, the girl's mother said after her daughter's death, "I thought my daughter would survive. If she had pulled through, I would never have let her go out alone again." The girl's body was transported back to Magura by military helicopter, landing at the local stadium at approximately 6:00 PM, which triggered intense protests. Aiyub Ali, the head of the Magura Sadar Police Station, stated that authorities are working to control the situation. Law enforcement is committed to maintaining order and ensuring the safety of the community.

Thousands of people gathered in a public square in Magura to hold an Islamic funeral prayer (namaz-e-janaza) for the girl, followed by her burial at 7:30 PM. A memorial service was also held for the girl at Dhaka University in the capital, followed by a protest march and speeches by female students. Many protesters demanded that the government expedite judicial justice for rape victims and reform laws related to the safety of women and children. The focus is on ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their crimes.

Protesters also called for a clearer definition of rape in Bangladesh's laws, which they believe are currently ambiguous. Legal advisor Asif Nazrul stated that the trial for the rape and murder case is expected to begin within the next seven days. He stated at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Thursday, "DNA sample collection has been completed, and we expect to receive the report within the next five days." He also added that testimonies have been obtained from 12 to 13 people. The legal process is moving forward with the goal of a swift and just resolution.

Under a law passed in 2020, the rape of a minor in Bangladesh is punishable by death. The enactment of this law was due to a series of high-profile sexual violence cases, including the brutal gang rape of a 37-year-old woman, which was filmed and disseminated on social media. Less than a week after the rape case of the young girl in Magura, media outlets reported at least three other rape cases of children of similar age in different regions of Bangladesh. In some cases, the accused were neighbors of the victims, while in others, they were close relatives. The prevalence of such cases underscores the urgent need for preventative measures.

According to data from the Law and Arbitration Centre, 3,438 child rape cases have been filed in Bangladesh in the past eight years, and there are many more unreported victims. At least 539 of these victims were under the age of six, and 933 were between the ages of seven and twelve. Studies show that in most cases, children are sexually abused or raped by people they know. This highlights the importance of education and awareness campaigns to protect children from potential harm.