Two leading international child rights organisations working in
Bangladesh on Wednesday urged all political parties and movements to
do their utmost to respect and protect the rights of children during
the lead-up to election. It is unacceptable that children are being
killed or injured as a result of violent protests that have marked
recent weeks, said Save the Children and Plan International Bangladesh
in a joint statement. “Children must not suffer because they are
caught in the cross-fire,” said Save the Children country director
Michael McGrath. “Everyone involved – political parties and
movements, participants in protests, bystanders, teachers and parents
– must seek to identify and prevent any threat to the lives or safety
of children,” said Plan International Bangladesh Acting Country
Director Elena Ahmed. Citing media reports, the child rights bodies
said seven children have fallen victim to political violence in the
last six days, including one of them dead, with the latest one
10-year-old Murad Hussain, a third grader who suffered injuries to his
hands when he picked up a homemade bomb left lying by the side of the
road. “We call on all political parties and movements to focus their
attention on how to ensure the future for the children of Bangladesh,
rather than putting their lives at risk,” said McGrath and Elena. –
UNB
