Bangladesh
Death Penalty Cabinet to discuss death penalty for rapists
Dhaka, October 12: The draft of the amended 'Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, 2000' with the provision of death penalty for rape will be discussed in the cabinet meeting on Monday (October 12).
An official of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs said this on condition of anonymity.
Under the Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, 2000, the prevalent maximum penalty for rape is life imprisonment.
The government took this step in the midst of a nationwide movement against rape and violence against women and a demand for the death penalty for rapists.
Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Kazi Raushan Akhter, is currently in home isolation after contracting Covid-19.
Additional Secretary (Administration Wing) Farida Parveen is performing the routine duties of the secretary.
The Ministry of Women and Children Affairs will present the draft of the Women and Child Abuse Suppression Act, 2000 at the cabinet meeting on Monday.
A meeting of the virtual cabinet will be held on Monday, according to the cabinet division.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over the meeting, she will be connected via video conference from Ganobhaban.
Ministers and state ministers from the secretariat will be involved.
Last Thursday (October 8th), Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq told Jago News, "A proposal to amend the Prevention of Women and Children Repression Act, 2000 is going to the next cabinet meeting. Basically, section 9 (1) of the law is being changed. Under this section, the punishment for rape will be increased from life imprisonment to death. Small changes are also being made in a few other places in this law."
The law minister also said that the initiative to amend the law has been taken under the direction of the Prime Minister.
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.
