Women's Council protests against threats of rape for expressing dissent

Stating that women of various professions, including journalists, are being threatened with rape and attacked with abusive language in public and on social media for expressing dissent, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad has expressed strong protest and concern.

This concern was expressed in a joint statement sent by the organization's president Fouzia Moslem and general secretary Maleka Banu on Tuesday.

The statement said that in recent times, it has been observed that women are being threatened with rape in public for expressing dissent. Female journalists are being attacked with various abusive language, including 'broker' and 'anti-national'. Obscene, sexually harassing and character-defamatory language is being used against women for expressing political opinions. Other women and human rights activists are also being subjected to similar hatred, threats and insults. Even in the highest legislative body like the National Assembly, offensive and gender-discriminatory comments are being made towards female members of parliament. According to the Mahila Parishad, this situation is not only an attack on the dignity of women; This is a clear insult to the spirit of the constitution, democracy and the rule of law.

The statement also mentioned that incidents of communal hate speech, intimidation, attacks and violence against religious minorities are coming to the fore in a worrying manner. It is said that killings, threats of killings, forcible land acquisition, attacks on houses and attempts to create a socially insecure environment prove that the politics of hatred and communal incitement are posing a major threat to society. These incidents have created a deep sense of insecurity among the minority community.

The statement demanded that action be taken against those responsible according to the law by ensuring an impartial and transparent investigation into these incidents. The organization said that a peaceful, just society and state can be built only by upholding human rights, rule of law, social harmony and democratic values.

The statement also said that the attempt to suppress dissent, independent voices of women and minority communities through intimidation is a manifestation of a dangerous trend. State silence or delayed action against hate speech and incitement to violence emboldens criminals.