Women and child rights

Women and Child Rights: Legal Coverage and Reality in Bangladesh

1. Women and Child Rights: Legal
Coverage and Reality in Bangladesh
Mahmud Naser Jhony
Addl. SP/Bangladesh
Police
B.P : 8112147642

2. Organization of the Lecture
1.Introduction
2.Rights under Constitutional Aspects
3.Reasoning behind the Adoption of Special Rights
for Special type of People
4.International Arrangements
5.Commitment of Bangladesh
6.Legal Regime for Women: Reality in Practice
7.Legal Coverage for Children: Practical Aspects
8.Open Discussion
9.An Insight on Future

3. 1. Introduction
•Protectionofchildrenandwomenagainstallformsof
discriminationareoneoftheburningissuesinhuman
rightsmovement.
•Womenandchildrenconstitutetwothirdmajorityofthe
populationinBangladesh.
•Intheconstitutionofthecountry,theequalityofbothmale
andfemaleinallsparesoflifehasbeenguaranteed.And
manyspeciallawshavebeenenactedtosafeguardthe
interestofwomenandchildrenbutinrealitywomenand
childrenofBangladesharefacingmanifoldproblemsand
discriminationsinmanyareasoftheirlifeincludingthe
justicesector.
.

4. 1. Introduction (Contd.)
•Poverty,illiteracy,ignoranceoftheirlegal
rights,dependenceonmalethougharethe
mainimpediments,butthesocialstructure,
attitudeofmale,non-friendlyandcomplex
environmentofcourtsarealsosomeother
reasonswhichalsodenyaccesstojusticeto
womenandchildren.

5. 2. Rights under Constitutional Aspects
of Bangladesh
1.Human Rights: Rights accrued as human
being.
2.Fundamental Rights: Guaranteed by the
Constitution and legal recourse if violation.
3.Fundamental Principles of State Policy in
Bangladesh Constitution: Implementation
depends on socio-economic conditions.

6. 3. Reasoning behind the Adoption of Special
Rights for Special type of People
1.Special Rights
2.Special Type of People
3.Why Special Rights for Special Type of People?
-All people are equal before law.
-Positive discrimination under constitution of the
country. In order to build a just society for all.

7. 4. International Arrangements for protecting the
rights of women and children
1.UNCharter,1945:Norestrictionsontheeligibilityofmenandwomento
participateinanycapacityandunderconditionsofequality
2.UniversalDeclarationofHumanRights(UDHR),1948:Nodistinctionasto
race,colourandsex.
3.InternationalCovenantonEconomic,SocialandCulturalRights,1966
Article 3: The States Parties to the present Covenant undertake to ensure
the equal right of men and women to the enjoyment of all economic, social
and cultural rights.
4.InternationalCovenantonCivilandPoliticalRights(ICCPR),1966:Equal
rightofmenandwomentotheenjoymentofallcivilandpoliticalrights.
5.ConventionontheEliminationofallformsofDiscriminationAgainst
Women(CEDAW),1979:Equalrightsinstaterepresentation,rightto
vote,employment,equalremuneration,educationetc.Bangladeshhas
reservationsinArt.2(Legislation)and16.1(c)(Equalrightsinmarriageand
dissolution).
6.ConventionontheRightsoftheChild(CRC),1989:non-discrimination;
adherencetothebestinterestsofthechild;therighttolife,survivaland
development;andtherighttoparticipate.BangladeshhasreservationsinArticle
14(therightofthechildtofreedomofthought,conscienceandreligion),21
(Adoption)

8. 5. Commitment of Bangladesh in protecting
rights of children and women
1.International society adopted the Convention in 1989
whether Bangladesh enacted the Children Act in 1974.
2.Regarding child mortality Bangladesh has achieved its
goal.
3.Following the CRC, age of Child is increased from 16 to
18 years by the new Act of 2013.
4.The Constitution, on its birth, adopts equality before
law irrespective of race, sex, colouretc.
5.Women are highly engaged in leaderships, public and
private sectors etc.

9. 6. Legal Regime for Women: Reality in Practice
1.Rights of Women Protected by Personal Statutory Laws
a)Hindu Widow’s Re-marriage Act, 1856: Widow’s Re-marriage
has been legalized.
b) Dissolution of Muslim Marriages Act, 1939: Dissolution of
Marriage otherwise than by Talaq.
c) Hindu Married Women’s Right to Separate Residence and
Maintenance Act, 1946: Right to Separate Residence and
Maintenance has been ensured.
d)TheMuslimFamilyLawsOrdinance,1961:Dealswithrights
relatingwithPolygamy,Succession,Talaq,Maintenanceand
Dower.

10. 6. Legal Regime for Women: Reality in Practice
1.RightsofWomenProtectedbyPersonalStatutoryLaws(Contd.)
e) MuslimMarriagesandDivorces(Registration)Act,1974:
RegistrationofMarriageandDivorcehasbeenmadecompulsory.
f)TheFamilyCourtOrdinance,1985:Exclusivejurisdictionini)
Dissolutionofmarriageii)Restitutionofconjugalrightsiii)Doweriv)
Maintenancev)Guardianshipandcustodyofchildren.
g)HinduBibahoNibondanAin,2012:Registrationofmarriagehasbeen
madeoptional.
h)ChildMarriageRestraintAct,1929:Provisionforpunishmentsby
MobileCourts.

11. 6. Legal Regime for Women: Reality in Practice
(Contd.)
2. Rights of women Protected by General Laws dealing with Offences
a)Dowry Prohibition Act, 1980: Prescribes punishment. Applies both for men and women.
b)Nario ShishuNirjatanDaman Ain, 2000: 1. Time for trial and investigation is fixed.
Departmental proceeding against IO. 2. incorporation of ‘camera trial’ for the offences of
rape. 3. Offences are taken by the Tribunal very seriously. 4. Non-bailable
Problems in reality: 1. Huge number of false cases: What is the reason? Empowerment or other
procedural defects? Under the existing system, can a traditional judicial inquiry serves
fruitful results? Upon whom we will depend for a proper investigation? What should be
the alternatives?
2. A 1
st
class magistrate records statement of a victim but has no power to
send the victim to any custody even to safe custody. The procedure is difficult to seek the
permission of the Tribunal for the custody of the victim at the pre-trial stage.
c)Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2010: Specifies physical, mental and
sexual tortures and monitory losses. Very few cases are lodged under this law. Reasons?
d) Penal Code, 1860: Section 509: Word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a
woman. Punishments by Mobile Courts.

12. 6. Legal Regime for Women: Reality in Practice
(Contd.)
3. Governmental actions regarding protection of Rights of
women in Bangladesh
a)NariNirjatanProtirodhCommittee(HeadedbyDC):Supervise
overallactivitiesfortheprotectionofwomen’srights.
b)BallyoBibahoProtirodhCommitteeandJoutukNirodeCommittee
(HeadedbyUNO)
c)One-stopCrisisCentre(OCC):Torecordtortureuponwomen.
ReportofOCChasbeenanessentialdocumentforprimaryproofof
torturebeforethecourtortribunal.
d)TheGovernmentofBangladeshin1993hassetupacell,called
“NariNirjatonProtirodhCell”,withinthePoliceHeadquarter,totake
specificcasesandcomplaintsinvolvingviolenceagainstwomen.This
cellisadministeredbyanInspectorandcollectsmonthlydatafrom
alldistricts.
e)UpozillaWomenAffairsOfficer:Growawareness,Re-conciliate
familydisputes,moveforwardfortheprotectionofrightsof
women.

13. 7. Legal Coverage for Children: Practical Aspects
1.Disputeregardingtheage:Whichlawwilldeterminetheage?Is
italawfuldebatethatdifferentlawsdeterminedifferentages?
2.Age of criminal responsibility: At present 9.
3.Laws and Policy dealing with rights of children
a) National Children Policy, 2011:
1. Steps shall be taken to ensure security and safety of the children
against all forms of violence, physical, mental and sexual abuses.
2. Effective public awareness program shall be undertaken to stop
violence on children and abuse of them.
3. ‘Ombudsman for the Children’ shall be appointed under legislation at
the national level.

14. 7. Legal Coverage for Children: Practical Aspects
(Contd.)
b) The Children Act, 2013:
1. Classification of Children: Children in Conflict with law (accused or convicted)
and Children in Contact with Law (victim or witness).
2. “Best interests of the child,“: the term generally refers to the deliberation that
courts undertake when deciding what type of services, actions, and orders will
best serve a child. The concept, predominantly, relates with the custody of a
child.
3. Major rights
-Rights against cruelty (5 years Imprisonment or one lactaka or both)
-Rights against forceful begging
-Delivering intoxicating elements or dangerous medicines
-Jugglery
-Mortgage of property from child
-Engaging child to carry weapons or forbidden substances
-Broadcasting news against the interest of children etc.
c) Nario ShishuNirjatanDaman Ain, 2000

15. 7. Legal Coverage for Children: Practical Aspects
(Contd.)
7.4. Child Rights Governance in Bangladesh
a)Executive Governance:
-Establishing National Child Welfare Board (Headed by
Minister of Social Welfare): Primary function is to
recommend policies.
-District Child Welfare Board (Headed by the District
Magistrate): Supervise the entire child welfare activities,
inspect the certified homes and the prison etc.
-UpozillaChild Welfare Board (Headed by the UNO):
Collection of data and monitoring the activities of
departments engaged in child welfare activities.
-District Legal Aid Committee: Special consideration if a
child is involved in a case.

16. 7. Legal Coverage for Children: Practical Aspects
(Contd.)
-7.4. Child Rights Governance in Bangladesh
a)Executive Governance (Contd.):
UnderMinistryofSocialWelfare,thefollowinginstitutions,
includingothers,aredirectlydealingwithChildren
1.BabyHome:Forlostchildren
2.ShishuPoribar:Orphansbelow18years
3.SafeHome:Childrensentbytheconcernedcourts,policeor
probationofficerwhetherinconflictorincontactwithlaw.
4.ShishiUnnoyonkendro:Foraccomodation,Reformationand
Developmentofthechildrenfacingtrialforoffences.
5.ChutoMoniNibash
6.GovernmentShelterCenter
7.OtherNotifiedbyGazette

17. 7. Legal Coverage for Children: Practical
Aspects (Contd.)
7.4. Child Rights Governance in Bangladesh
a)Executive Governance (Contd.):
-A child affairs police officer in Police Station is established:
1.Openandmaintaindifferentregistersforcaseswhereachildisinvolved.
2.Immediatelyinformtheprobationofficer
3.Fulfillthebasicnecessities
4.SendtheinformationtohigherauthoritiesandtheDistrictLegalAid
Committee
-Probation officers
-1. Record the reasons if a child is produced before a police station
-2. Find out the parents
-3. Take steps for bail
-4. Steps for diversion
-5. Presence in the Children Court
-6. Prepare social inquiry report
-7. Take steps for legal aid
-8. Maintain separate registers
-9. Supervise the attitude of reformation

18. 7. Legal Coverage for Children: Practical Aspects
(Contd.)
b) Judicial Governance:
1. Child before the Mobile Court:
ChildrenAct,2013,Section16(2):আইনওবিচারবিভাগ,সুবিমক ার্ট’এরসবিত
পরামর্টক্রকম,সর াবরগগকেকর্িজ্ঞাপনদ্বারা,িকতে গেলাএিং,গেত্রমত,
গমকরাপবলর্নএলা ারএ িাএ াবি অবতবরক্তদায়রােেএরআদালতক
বর্শু-আদালতবিসাকিবনিটারণ বরকি.
১৭।(১)আইকনরসবিতসংঘাকতেবিতবর্শুিাআইকনরসংস্পকর্টআসাবর্শু
গ ানমামলায়েবিতথাব কল,গেক ানআইকনরঅিীকনইিউ নাগ ন,উক্ত
মামলাবিচাকররএখবতয়ারগ িলবর্শু-আদালকতরথাব কি।
Section6(5)ofMobileCourtAct,2009:ম োবোইলম োর্টপরিচোলনো রিবোিস য়যরিএইরূপম োন
অপিোধএরির উটিভ যোরিস্ট্রের্বোরিরেক্ট যোরিস্ট্রের্এিসন্মুস্ট্রেসংঘটিতবোউদ্ঘোটিতহয়,যোহোমসশনআিোলত
র ংবোঅনযম োনউচ্চতিবোরবস্ট্রশষআিোলতবোট্রোইবুু্যনোল ততট রবচোযট,তোহোহইস্ট্রলম োবোইলম োর্ট পরিচোলনো োিী
এরির উটিভ যোরিস্ট্রের্বোরিরেক্ট যোরিস্ট্রের্উক্তঅপিোস্ট্রধিসরহতসংরিষ্টবযরক্তিরবিম্নস্ট্রেঅরভস্ট্রযোগএিোহোি
রহসোস্ট্রবগণ্য রিবোিিনযসংরিষ্টথোনোিভোিপ্রোপ্ত ট তটোস্ট্র রনস্ট্রিটশপ্রিোন রিস্ট্রবন।

19. 7. Legal Coverage for Children: Practical
Aspects (Contd.)
•Child in contact or in conflict with law in cases relating
with Mobile Court Act, 2009 (Contd.)
-ConceptofSupremacyofLaw
-GeneralLawandSpecialLaw
-Subsequentprevailsovertheearlieroneifbothhavenon-obstante
clause.
-So,whattodoifwefindachildincontactorinconflictwithlaw.
Problemsinreality:
Achildmaybefoundonspottobeengagedinseriousorheinous
crime.Itmayinvolveineve-teasingorcarryingortakingnarcotics
etc.Inthatwhatshouldwedo?
Isitpossibleifwewanttoimposefineuponthechildinsteadof
imprisonment?

20. 7. Legal Coverage for Children: Practical Aspects
(Contd.)
7.4 Child Rights Governance in Bangladesh (Contd.)
b. Judicial Governance (Contd.):
2. ShishuAdalot(Children Court):
a)Which cases to be conducted by ShishuAdalot: Cases where there
is a child in conflict or in contact with law.
Problems in reality: Is it viable or convenient or logical?
b)Determination of relevant age of the child: Age will be determined
on the date of commission of offence.
c)Submission of a social inquiry report to court: About family,
educational, social, economic, cultural conditions which will be kept
in secret.
d)Separate Charge Sheet
e) Introduction of Diversion: Alternative way to dispose of the case.

21. 7. Legal Coverage for Children: Practical Aspects
(Contd.)
7.4 Child Rights Governance in Bangladesh (Contd.)
b. Judicial Governance (Contd.):
2. ShishuAdalot(Children Court) (Contd.):
f) Relaxation in Bail: May be allowed whether the offence is bailableor not.
g) Time limit for trial: 360 days from first appearance.
Problems in Reality: What will be the situation if the trial is not
concluded within the time frame?
h)No imprisonment rather order of detention in Reformation centre if
guilt is proved.
i)No death penalty or life imprisonment. In such offences detention order
for maximum 10 years. Will not be sent to jail rather reformation
centre. On attainment of 18, will be sent to jail.
j)Order may be amended subsequently on satisfactory reformation of the
child.
k)No subsequent disability if a child is found guilty by the Court.

22. 7. Legal Coverage for Children: Practical Aspects
(Contd.)
7.4 Child Rights Governance in Bangladesh (Contd.)
b. Judicial Governance (Contd.):
2. Shishu Adalot (Children Court) (Contd.):
Problemsinpractice:
Underthelawadetainedchildwillbeproducedbeforethe
ChildrenCourtwhichisaSessionsCourt.
Ontheotherhand,recordsarekeptwiththecognizance
magistrates.So,anomaliesarisewhiledisposinganypre-trial
matterconcerningwiththechild.
3.Nari-o-ShishuNirjatanDamanTribunal:

23. Open Discussion

24. 9. An Insight on Future
1.NeedforaUniformFamilyCode
2.NoChildrenRulesyetbeenadopted
3.Socio-economicconditionscannotalways
meettheinternationalstandards.
4.Developmentofinfrastructureforachild
friendlycriminaljusticesystem.
5.Implementationisbetterthanenactmentof
newlaws.