DMP commissioner's statement on rape shocking, should be withdrawn: Iftekharuzzaman
DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali yesterday urged the media to avoid using the term “rape”
The DMP commissioner's statement regarding the use of the word "rape" should be withdrawn, said Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman today (16 March).
"The law enforcement agency, which has the greatest responsibility to ensure women's rights and prevent violations against them, has a senior official requesting the media not to use the term 'rape.' This is shocking," said Iftekharuzzaman during a human chain event titled "Stop Violence Against Women and Children, Now!" organised by TIB this morning in front of the National Parliament building on Manik Mia Avenue.
He further added, "We strongly condemn this stance because, in reality, the DMP commissioner is siding with rapists and creating a way to protect them. This is unacceptable under any circumstances."
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The controversy arose after a speech delivered by DMP Commissioner Sheikh Md Sazzat Ali yesterday (15 March), where he urged the media to avoid using the term "rape."
He said, "There are two words I dislike, one of which is 'rape.' I request you not to use it. Instead, say 'violence against women' or 'abuse.' Our law also refers to it as violence against women and children. Let's not use words that sound unpleasant."
Addressing today's human chain, Dr Iftekharuzzaman criticised policymakers, stating, "We do not see a women-friendly attitude in the words, actions, or practices of those who govern our country. This is very unfortunate."
He further remarked that despite movements against discrimination, no real change in societal attitudes has taken place.
He urged journalists to completely reject the DMP commissioner's statement and strongly report incidents of rape so that they receive public attention.
Drawing an analogy, Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "You cannot call a murderer a thief. Similarly, I cannot call the police 'Ansar'—the police are the police. Despite the police tarnishing their own image, has anyone said that the word 'police' should not be used? So how can the police decide that the word 'rape' should not be used? This is beyond our understanding."
At the event, Shamsul Huda, executive director of the Association for Land Reform in Bangladesh (ALRD), along with several others, also spoke.
The human chain was moderated by TIB's Assistant Coordinator for Outreach and Communication, Saimum Mausumi, who read out a written statement during the event.
