Legal notice sent seeking steps to stop sexual abuse, rape of children in madrasas

Supreme Court lawyer Muhammad Nurul Huda has sent a legal notice to four secretaries demanding rapid and effective state measures to prevent sexual abuse, rape, forced intercourse and cruel behavior against children in various madrasas across the country.

He sent the notice to the secretaries of the Home, Education, Law and Religious Affairs ministries on Monday (September 14). The notice demanded preventive and structural measures to ensure the safety of children in madrasas.

The notice proposed the formation and activation of a uniform national-level ‘Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Protection Cell’ for all types of madrasas including Alia, Qawmi and Hifz across the country. It also demanded the formation of a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Protection Committee in every institution to receive complaints of child abuse in madrasas and other residential religious educational institutions and take immediate action.

Additionally, it called for reviewing and auditing the child protection systems of every madrasa in the country through the national, district and upazila Child Welfare Boards formed under Sections 7 to 9 of the Children Act, 2013. Publication of the results of that audit was also demanded.

To ensure children’s safety and institutional accountability, the notice proposed installation of CCTV cameras at the entrances, corridors, classrooms and common residential areas of madrasas. However, it stated that camera installation in personal spaces including bathrooms and toilets must remain completely prohibited so that children’s personal privacy is also protected while ensuring security.

The notice called on the concerned authorities to take necessary steps within five days. It also mentioned that if effective measures are not taken within the stipulated time, a writ petition will be filed in the High Court on this matter.