Anti-Rape activists call for nationwide movement and Home Adviser‍‍`s resignation

The “Bangladesh Against Rape and Harassment” platform has called for a national movement demanding the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser.

The call came after a violent confrontation between protesters and police outside Hotel Intercontinental in Dhaka on Tuesday afternoon.

The protest, led by activists including Jahangirnagar University student Adrita Roy, was organized to submit a memorandum of nine demands to the Chief Adviser.

These demands focused on combating rape, harassment, and gender-based violence, as well as demanding effective measures for public safety.

However, things took a violent turn when police tried to block the protestors from reaching the hotel, leading to clashes.

Adrita Roy, who was at the forefront of the protest, said, “Women were leading the front of our march today. But instead of responding to our peaceful protest, the police, under the direction of the Home Affairs Adviser, attacked us. One of our main demands was the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser, Jahangir.”

She continued, "Instead of stepping down, he sent male officers to beat women in the march. Women were struck with sticks, knocked to the ground, and kicked."

Roy made it clear that there would be no compromise with the police force that carried out the attacks, saying, 

“The force that attacked us will not be forgiven. We have no other option but to start a mass movement to demand the resignation of the Home Affairs Adviser. We’ve given him enough time, and now, your time is up.”

Before the clash, the protest group had raised nine key demands to address the growing issues of sexual harassment and rape across the country. The detailed list of demands included:

1.      Public Safety and Accountability: The Home Affairs Adviser must resign for failing to ensure law and order, especially in dealing with sexual violence against women.

2.      Effective Action Against Sexual Violence: Immediate steps should be taken nationwide to tackle rape, harassment, theft, and other crimes. There should be swift and sure justice for all victims of sexual violence across the country, ensuring that cases are handled fairly and promptly.

3.      Reform of Rape Laws and Creation of Special Tribunals: Necessary amendments should be made to current anti-rape laws in consultation with experts, and special tribunals should be formed to ensure quick and effective trials for rape cases.

4.      Amendment of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000: The definition of rape should be expanded to ensure equal justice for all people, regardless of gender, sexuality, religion, nationality, or disability. This should include all forms of penetration. A new guideline should be established for sentencing rapists, and any marriage between a rapist and victim should be legally banned.

5.      Institutional Reforms to Prevent Sexual Harassment: There should be a revision of the High Court‍‍`s guidelines to prevent sexual harassment in educational institutions and workplaces. Anti-sexual harassment cells should be mandatory in all institutions, and gender sensitivity training must be provided for law enforcement and judiciary personnel. Gender-sensitive education should be introduced into school curricula at all levels.

6.      Simplified Rape Complaint Procedure: Rape complaints should be easier to file at police stations, through special legal cells or under a dedicated law.

7.      Witness and Victim Protection: The 2011 Witness Protection Act must be revisited to ensure the safety of witnesses and victims throughout the legal process.

8.      Safety of Female Students at Chittagong University: A full investigation into incidents of harassment, slut-shaming, and the expulsion of female students at Chittagong University should be conducted, and the perpetrators must be held accountable. Anyone involved in slut-shaming must be removed from their position.

9.      Sexual Harassment Prevention Cells in All Educational Institutions: Every educational institution, including universities, should have an independent sexual harassment prevention cell. This cell should have mandatory female members and be authorized to take disciplinary action against offenders.

These demands come amid growing frustration with the government’s handling of sexual violence cases in the country.

Protesters argue that these steps are necessary to protect women and children, ensure justice, and hold accountable those in power.

The movement continues to gain momentum, with activists promising to keep up the pressure until their demands are met.