Human rights organizations, women's rights activists and civil society members gathered at Central Shaheed Minar premises demanding justice for rapes, repression, and violence on women on Wednesday.
As part of the pre-scheduled program an alliance of 19 rights organizations and Non-Government Organizations (NGO) under the banner "We are against rape and sexual violence" held a rally coordinated by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF).
While addressing MJF executive director Shaheen Anam said: “When justice is delayed, people themselves are committing crimes as they feel that that criminal can get away with such crimes easily. We have gathered here to change this notion and raise human consciousness.”
“We will not tolerate any kind of heinous crimes, thus we will have to be united to eradicate crime from the face of Bangladesh,” she added.
Transparency-International Bangladesh (TIB) executive director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman expressed solidarity with the activists.
He said: “We are very disappointed, as justice is being delayed most of the time. Justice against rape and all kinds of sexual violence should be dealt with immediately.”
“Rape and sexual violence against women are such matters of shame and it contradicts the spirit of our liberation, ” the anti-graft watchdog spokesperson added.
A rape survivor from Chapainawabganj district claimed the rapists who raped her are moving freely as they have given bribe to the law enforcers and the authorities.
Wailing she added: “I was raped surrounding a land dispute, 24 of the miscreants have still not been arrested.”
About 2000 activists expressed solidarity at the program between 3 and 5pm. Recitation of poems, singing and flash mob were also part of the protest.
