Dhaka: As many as 155 children were killed in Bangladesh between January and August this year in incidents involving murder after disappearance, rape, physical abuse, family-related violence and other forms of violence, according to a report by a local human rights organisation.
Dhaka-based rights organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) recorded the deaths amid growing concerns over violence against children across the country.
The organisation said the bodies of 36 children who had been reported missing were recovered during the first eight months of the year. Another 68 children died following physical abuse, while 49 were killed in incidents involving family-related violence.
Children Killed in Rape, Abuse and Other Violence
According to ASK, 26 children, including two boys, were killed after being raped during the period.
Four children died following attempted rape, while three were shot dead. Two domestic workers died following physical abuse, two children were killed by stalkers and another child was killed after being abducted.
ASK also recorded 99 cases involving suicide, mysterious deaths and recovery of children’s bodies during the same period, according to reports cited by Bangladeshi daily Dhaka Tribune.
The rights organisation’s data indicates that several cases involved people known to the victims.
Recent Cases Highlight Child Safety Concerns
Several cases involving the killing of children have emerged across Bangladesh in recent weeks.
A 10-year-old child who went missing from Pabna Sadar on September 9 was found dead in a ditch seven days later. Police said the child had been raped and killed, and two people were arrested in connection with the case.
In another case, the body of a seven-year-old child who disappeared after leaving for school in Madarganj, Jamalpur, on September 10 was found buried beneath the floor of a classmate’s house the following day.
Police said the classmate’s father had raped and killed the child. Two people were arrested in connection with the case.
Dhaka Tribune also reported that seven children were killed alongside other family members in four separate incidents.
Over 15,000 Children Reported Missing
The killings have occurred alongside a wider issue of children going missing across Bangladesh.
Various media reports said more than 15,000 children were reported missing nationwide between January and July this year.
Bangladesh Police Headquarters said in a press release earlier this month that 15,717 children had gone missing during the first seven months of the year.
Of these, 13,679 children were traced, while 2,038 remained missing, accounting for nearly 13 per cent of the total reported missing cases.
The figures have highlighted concerns over child safety and the need for effective mechanisms to trace missing children and investigate cases involving violence against minors.