The Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) has expressed deep grief, anger, and condemnation over the rape and brutal murder of a teenage girl in Narsingdi.
In a statement, the rights organisation demanded a prompt, impartial, and professional investigation to ensure exemplary justice for the victim. According to media reports, the girl’s body was recovered following allegations that she was murdered after being raped.
The HRSS stated that such an incident exposes serious weaknesses in the state’s security apparatus, law enforcement, and the existing protection framework for women and children.
The organisation emphasised that ensuring the life, dignity, and security of a girl is a constitutional and international obligation of the state.
It noted that these crimes are gross violations of international human rights laws and conventions to which Bangladesh is a signatory, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Alarming rise in violence
Data compiled by the HRSS reveals a harrowing picture of violence against women and children in 2025. At least 2,047 women and female children were victims of various forms of violence during the year.
Among them, at least 828 were raped, of whom 474, or 57 per cent, were children under the age of 18.
The report further highlighted that 179 women and girls, accounting for 21 per cent, were victims of gang rape, with 28 victims murdered following the assault and 10 others committing suicide. Additionally, 414 women and girls faced sexual harassment, including 236 children.
The statistics also show that dowry-related violence claimed the lives of at least 35 women, leaving 32 others injured and leading to four suicides.
Domestic violence resulted in the deaths of at least 383 women, with 133 injured and 194 committing suicide, while two women were killed and two others injured in acid violence.
The HRSS further recorded that at least 1,371 children were victims of abuse in 2025, with 288 losing their lives and 1,083 suffering physical and mental torture.
Demands for accountability
The HRSS asserted that rape and murder are not merely individual crimes but direct strikes against social security and the rule of law, warning that a culture of impunity would flourish if offenders are not swiftly arrested and tried.
The rights body urged the authorities to ensure a neutral, transparent, and professional investigation and to arrest all involved individuals immediately. It further called for the trial to be conducted under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act through a Speedy Trial Tribunal to ensure exemplary punishment.
The statement also stressed the importance of providing security, legal aid, and mental support to the victim’s family, while ensuring accountability for any negligence or irresponsibility by local administration or law enforcement.
Alongside legal action, the HRSS called for the implementation of effective preventive measures, community monitoring, and awareness programmes to protect women and children.
Concluding the statement, the HRSS prayed for the salvation of the departed soul, extended condolences to the bereaved family, and called upon authorities to take immediate action to restore public confidence in the rule of law.
