The Bangladesh Nationalist Party has formed a legal and health support cell across its 84 organisational political districts to document and address cases of violence against women and children, including torture, rape and murder.
BNP senior assistant secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Friday announced the formation of the sell at a press conference held at the party鈥檚 central office in the capital.聽
The initiative followed growing public outcry over the tragic death of eight-year-old rape victim in Magura.
BNP legal affairs secretary Kayser Kamal and health affairs secretary Rafiqul Islam have been made the central coordinators of the cell.
Rizvi said that under the current regime people expected that the rule of law would be enforced swiftly, but administrative inefficiency allowed criminals to perpetrate crimes unhindered.
The BNP leader warned that public trust in the interim government would decline if justice was not ensured.
He further said that ensuring justice required a strong legal framework and an efficient, transparent and accountable administration in absence of which violence and injustice against women and children would rapidly escalate, he said.
Criticising the past Awami League regime, Rizvi said that corruption, lawlessness and political persecution have eroded Bangladesh鈥檚 social fabric.
During the rule of now overthrown Sheikh Hasina, killings, disappearances, murders, rapes and torture on women and children, along with the unspeakable abuse of opposition political leaders and activists, became so widespread that it became dangerous for civilized, decent people to live. He said.
鈥楾hat same trend continues today, with perpetrators of violence against women and children seemingly still waiting for an opportunity to strike,鈥� the BNP leader said.