United News of Bangladesh

The government has prepared the draft of the amended Women and Children Repression Prevention Act reducing the trial and investigation time of the rape case by half, said Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Wednesday. The Law Adviser came up with the information while talking to reporters after a meeting with the anti-rape platform leaders at the Secretariat. Referring to the government step, Asif said “We held a consultation meeting with all concerned on Monday and Tuesday. I have made a draft of (Amendment to Women and Children Repression Prevention Act) and today we are circulating it to some stakeholders. We will try to ensure strict implementation of the law as soon as possible. I have told them that the trial of rape cases should not only be speedy, but justice should be ensured and fair.” As per the draft law, the investigation period for rape cases is being reduced from 30 days to 15 days and the time for completing the trial is being reduced from 180 days to 90 days, he said. Besides, a provision is being included in it that if the judge deems it necessary, the case proceedings and investigation can continue based on the medical certificate without the DNA report, said the adviser. Mentioning the attack on women, Asif said the government has taken a zero tolerance policy against those involved in violence against women. Asking about the meeting, the adviser said the anti-rape platform leaders demanded speedy trial of the child rape case in Magura. “We have assured them that police have already collected DNA samples of the accused in the Magura rape on Tuesday. I have told them that we will have a vigil so that justice is done quickly without any delay,” he said. High-profile committee formed to review BB reserve heist Mentioning the demand of the anti-rape platform leaders to introduce special court for rape cases, the adviser said rape cases are now tried in the Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal. However, there are many other crimes besides rape cases. So there is a backlog, which delays case management. "I have listened to them and admitted that their demand is logical. It will not be my one's decision. I will raise the issue in the discussion of the Advisory Council and will try my best to explore this matter, whether it can be done. If done, it will be done as soon as possible,” he said. Talking about another demand of the platform over separate cells for preventing sexual harassment in workplace and educational institutions, Asif said “There is a High Court verdict in this regard. In the light of that verdict, not only in educational institutions and workplaces, but also on the streets, we have promised to make such a comprehensive law. In the light of the High Court verdict, I will try to make the law a little stronger.”

Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul on Tuesday said the national consensus-building commission, led by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, will hold its first dialogue with all political parties and forces in favour of July Uprising over the reform initiatives in mid-February. “We hope that it will be held in mid-February,” he told reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the evening. The Chief Adviser will chair the meeting, to be held at the Foreign Service Academy, where heads of the six reform commissions will remain present, Asif said. The Law Adviser said they expect full-fledged reports of the six commissions will be submitted on February 8 and the recommendations of the reports will instantly be sent to the political parties and other stakeholders who were in favour of the July uprising. Refusal to return Hasina violation of extradition treaty: Law Adviser The commissions are the Electoral System Reform Commission headed by Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, the Police Administration Reform Commission headed by Sarfaraz Hossain, the Judiciary Reform Commission headed by Justice Shah Abu Naeem Mominur Rahman, Anti-Corruption Reform Commission headed by TIB’s Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Public Administration Reform Commission headed by Abdul Mueed Chowdhury and Constitution Reform Commission headed by Distinguished Prof at Illinois State University Dr Ali Riaz. The Chief Adviser, also head of the National Consensus-building Commission, had a meeting on Tuesday to know about the progress of the reform work. Dr Asif said the political parties will hold discussions and negotiations with all the forces in favor of the mass uprising. Over 2,500 politically motivated cases likely to be withdrawn: Law Adviser He said the activities of the six commissions are ending on February 8 with the submission of their reports. Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder and Assistant Press Secretary Suchismita Tithi were also present.