Naripokkho expresses concern over govt plan to amend sexual violence law ‘without addressing root causes’ 

Women's rights organisation Naripokkho has expressed concern over the interim government's plan to amend the Women and Child Repression Prevention Act, 2000, stating that it is being done without addressing the root causes of rape and sexual violence.

"This initiative is making us worried and apprehensive," the organisation said in a press statement today (16 March).

The statement further reads, "Amending the law hastily to merely appease the public without addressing the root of the problem is inconsiderate, which will not bring any solution to stop violence against women and children and rape and sexual assault on them, but will rather create various obstacles in ensuring fair justice for the crime."

Naripokkho strongly opposed the inclusion of capital punishment, calling it "state-sponsored killing and a gross violation of human rights."

The organisation stated that there is no global evidence that capital punishment deters crime. It also warned that while lengthy trials can hinder justice, overly speedy trials risk flawed verdicts.

The statement highlighted that Bangladesh already has laws addressing violence against women under the penal code, along with special laws enacted at different times.

Any amendments, it said, should be based on thorough discussion, review, and analysis of existing shortcomings.

Naripokkho emphasised that violence against women and children stems not just from law enforcement failures but also from deep-rooted gender inequality and power imbalances.

Preventing such crimes requires comprehensive short- and long-term measures, including implementation and monitoring efforts by the state.

The organisation also criticised state inaction against mob violence targeting women over their clothing, movement, profession, and relationships.

It condemned government repression of protests against violence and sexual assault, calling it "a heinous conspiracy to suppress the women's movement."

Naripokkho stressed that citizens have the constitutional right to organise against injustice and urged the government to uphold this right. 

It noted that a memorandum outlining its concerns has already been submitted to the law adviser and called for serious consideration of the issue.