'Never again' must this be allowed to happen to children in Bangladesh: Unicef reacts to OHCHR findings
Among the 1,400 people the report estimates were killed between 1 July and 15 August, more than a hundred of them were children, says Unicef, citing UN report
Unicef, officially the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund, has called on all to ensure that children in Bangladesh never face any brutality, including murder, like the ones they faced during the July-August uprising.
Rana Flowers, Unicef representative in Bangladesh, made the call in a statement issued today (12 February) in response to the UN Human Rights Office report on rights violations and abuse during the July-August uprising.
The statement describes the finding published in the UN report as "both shocking and heartbreaking".
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"Among the 1,400 people the report estimates were killed between 1 July and 15 August, more than a hundred of them were children. Unicef reported on many of these deaths and has continued to work on clarifying how many children were killed or hurt - we mourn each and every one of them," said Flowers.
Gender-based violence, including physical assaults and threats of rape, was also documented, aimed at deterring females from participating in protests. Children were not spared; they were killed, maimed, arbitrarily arrested, detained in inhumane conditions, and tortured, the statement added
It also cited several instances of brutality against children during the uprising.
"In one harrowing case, a 12-year-old protester in Dhanmondi died from internal bleeding caused by 200 metal shot pellets. Another tragic incident involved a six-year-old girl in Narayanganj, who was killed by a bullet to the head while observing clashes from her rooftop. On 5 August, one of the deadliest days of the protests, a 12-year-old boy in Azampur described police firing "everywhere like rainfall," witnessing at least a dozen dead bodies," reads the statement.
"These findings must horrify us all, and Unicef appeals to all across Bangladesh to ensure 'never again' must this be allowed to happen to children in Bangladesh," Flowers states.
In light of these findings, Unicef stressed the need for all policymakers in Bangladesh, political actors and officials to work urgently on three key aspects to help the children, young people and families of Bangladesh to heal and move forward with hope.
First, it states that there must be some accountability and some reconciliation for those children whose lives have been lost and whose families grieve for them.
"Second, let us call for justice, supporting and ensuring reintegration of those who remain in detention, or who are otherwise affected by these events," the statement reads.
"Third, and perhaps most pressingly, let this be a moment of catalytic change. A time for all political actors, parties and policymakers to reach a consensus on the need for reforms to policing and justice systems so that no child in Bangladesh ever again faces arbitrary detention, a lack of due process, torture, or violence for exercising their right to peaceful assembly, and so that children in Bangladesh can fully realise their right to safety, dignity and justice," it adds.
In calling for accountability and reform, Unicef offered support to ensure there are: independent investigations into all cases of violence, abuse, and unlawful detention of children; justice sector reforms that align Bangladesh's legal framework with international standards for child protection; and stronger safeguards to prevent future violations, including the establishment of independent monitoring mechanisms.
The UN agency also sought a justice system fit for children, that ends the criminalisation of children; rather than treating children as threats, ensures they understand their accountability, and recognises them as rights holders in need of care, protection, and rehabilitation.
For children who are found by the courts to have committed a crime, Unicef says there should be an expansion of the alternatives to detention with diversion programmes, probation, and restorative justice that replace punitive approaches that inflict lasting harm.
It also recommends ensuring child-sensitive legal processes, where specialised courts, legal aid, and child-sensitive investigations uphold children's rights.
It also states that the justice system protects child protesters and survivors: Accountability mechanisms are established to prevent further violations against children and ensure justice for victims.
Bangladesh is at a moment of great hope, change, and transformation. With reform commissions currently looking at ways to rebuild and reshape the future of its policing, courts, and justice systems, there is an opportunity to create a safer, more just environment for the younger generation.
"Let us seize this moment for meaningful reform and ensure that no child, family and community in Bangladesh has to go through such tragedies again," the statement concludes.
