Child commission to be set up to ensure child rights

There is a consensus to eliminate violence against children, he said, adding that poverty and illiteracy are major reasons for violations of child rights.

He also said that the correction centres for children should be upgraded and that a ban on physical punishment of children should be imposed.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a dialogue on 'Rights of children: The role of parliamentarians and political leaders' at the National Press Club in the city.

All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on PRSP, MDGs and WTO and Bangladesh Development Forum in cooperation with People's Empowerment Trust (PET) and Save the Children, Sweden-Denmark (SCS-D), organised the dialogue.

Speaking at the dialogue, Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta said confrontational politics and absence of public debate before enactment of laws for children are major obstacles to ensuring child rights.

"The situation would remain the same unless we take steps to stop confrontational politics, reduce poverty and curb corruption," he said. "If we remain divided over political issues, how can we protect child rights?"

He, however, said that Bangladesh is much ahead of many other countries with regard to child rights.

Former education minister ASHK Sadique said that it is important to consult with children before making any law for them.

He said parents and teachers should also be made aware of child rights so that they themselves do not exploit children.

AL leader Faruk Khan MP said the programmes meant for the children are not being implemented properly and the money allocated for children under different ministries is not being used properly. As a result, children are being deprived of their rights, including education, he added.

He also said that AL has specific plans with regard to child rights in its 23-point programme and that his party will implement those if voted to power.

AL lawmaker Shahjahan Khan called for political commitment and raising awareness to ensure child rights.

He also suggested establishing a special fund for the children.

Action should be taken against the syndicates using children for begging, he said and suggested enacting a law against such practices.

Moin Uddin Ashraf of PET gave a presentation on child rights and election manifesto.

The election manifesto should have specific issues regarding child rights such as ban on physical punishment of children in educational institutions and facilities for children with disability, he said.

In her presentation, Kristine Zeuthen Jeppensen of SCSD said that physical and humiliating punishment is yet to be recognised as a violent act by policymakers, law enforcers, parents, teachers, employers and even the NGOs.

Physical and psychological punishment affects the children severely, she said.

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Mahbubur Rahman MP, Dr Abdur Razzaque MP, Motahar Hossain MP, Akhter Banu MP, Khaleda Rabbani MP, SCSD Country Manager Olof Risberg also spoke at the dialogue chaired by Dr Muhammad Serajul Akbar MP. PET Executive Director Shshir Shil moderated the dialogue.