Photo: Bonik Barta (File Photo) In
a statement released yesterday, Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF Regional Director for
South Asia reported that at least 32 children were killed, with many others
injured and detained, during the violent clashes in Bangladesh in July.
Referring
to a recent one-week stay in Bangladesh, he expressed concern about the impact
of recent violence and ongoing unrest in Bangladesh on children. In the
statement, he condemned the violence and extended his heartfelt condolences to
families mourning the loss of their sons and daughters. He said, “Children must
be protected at all times. That is everyone’s responsibility.”
Acknowledging
the detention of children, Wijesekera said, “In line with international human
rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child to which Bangladesh is
a signatory, and based on research into the effects of detention on children,
UNICEF urges an end to the detention of children in all its forms. This means
that children should not be arrested or detained based on their mere presence
in any location or because of their background, religion, or acts or beliefs of
their family members.”
UNICEF
has prioritized helping children affected by violence. Wijesekera noted,
"I visited the UNICEF-supported Child Helpline 1098 which has seen a 250
per cent increase in demand since the violence started."
He
advocated for reopening schools and resuming education to protect children from
violence and its adverse effects. “30 million students from pre-primary to
secondary school have missed 10 days of school. These learning losses are
compounded by school closures earlier this year due to heat, cyclones and
floods.”
Welcoming
the decision to reopen primary schools in various regions of Bangladesh from
August 4, Wijesekera noted, “there will still be around 15.5 million school
children who are unable to resume learning. The longer children are out of
school, especially girls, the less likely they are to return, jeopardizing
their future.”
Wijesekera
highlighted discussions with the Bangladesh government, UNICEF partners, and
representatives from organizations working with youth, stressing the importance
of recognizing children’s freedom of association and freedom of peaceful
assembly as enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
“Children
and young people are the future of Bangladesh. They should be protected when
they speak up”, the statement read.
