Bangladesh

Cabinet agrees on death penalty for rape Rape
PID Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the virtual cabinet meeting on Monday.

Cabinet agrees on death penalty for rape

Bangladesh Live News | @banglalivenews | 12 Oct 2020, 09:45 pm

Dhaka, October 12: The Cabinet has given final approval to the draft of the amended ‘Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, 2000’ with the provision of death penalty as the maximum punishment for rape.

The President will issue an ordinance in this regard on Tuesday.

The approval was given at a virtual cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting.

The Prime Minister joined via video conference from Ganobhaban. Ministers and state ministers from the secretariat were present.

The law minister said, "The amended law has been approved in the cabinet meeting." According to the amended law, the maximum punishment is death penalty and life imprisonment. The amended ordinance will be issued tomorrow.

Section 9 (1) of the Women and Child Abuse Suppression Act, 2000 states, "If a man rapes a woman or a child, he shall be punishable with life imprisonment and with an additional fine."

Recently, incidents of rape are happening in different parts of the country.

Meanwhile, on October 4, a video of a 37-year-old woman being tortured in Noakhali went viral on social media.

However, the incident took place in Eklashpur Union of Begumganj Upazila in early September.

The incident went viral, sparking a wave of criticism across the country.

Most of those involved were arrested by law enforcement.

There has been a series of protests across the country, including the capital, against rape and violence against women.

Protesters have demanded the death penalty for rapists.

A long march was announced in front of the Shahbagh National Museum on Friday (October 9) afternoon to protest the ongoing rape and impunity across the country.

According to the announcement made at the general assembly organized under the banner 'Bangladesh against rape and injustice', a long march will be held towards Noakhali on October 16 and 17.

Besides, a nine-point demand was announced for the trial of rape and oppression and removal of the Home Minister.