ASK raises concern over child safety as 36 missing children found dead after going missing in 8 months
Police recorded 15,717 missing-child cases from January to July, with 2,038 children still unaccounted for, though data may be outdated.
At least 36 children were found dead after being reported missing across Bangladesh between January and August this year, while 254 children died in various incidents during the period, according to data collected by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK).
In a press release today (20 September). the human rights organisation raised the concerns following the recovery of the body of 13-year-old Ishayat Shahriar Opritom, who had gone missing in Cumilla.
According to the ASK, recent incidents of children going missing and later being found dead, as well as child rape, murder and abuse, have raised serious concerns about children's safety and security.
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Police Headquarters data showed that 15,717 children were reported missing between January and July. Of them, 13,679 were rescued, while 2,038 remained missing, ASK said.
However, police have said the figures may be misleading as information on missing children is not always updated later.
ASK Executive Director Tahmina Rahman said the recovery of a child's body after going missing should not be treated simply as an isolated crime.
"Authorities must investigate how the child went missing, what steps were taken to recover the child, whether there was any negligence or lack of coordination, and who was involved in the crime," she said.
ASK called for prompt, impartial and transparent investigations into the deaths of Opritom and other children who went missing and were later found dead, and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice.
The organisation also called for accountability if any negligence occurred in efforts to rescue missing children.
ASK said the government should establish an integrated, regularly updated national database on missing children to accurately track those who have gone missing, been rescued or remain unaccounted for and identify risks to enable effective preventive measures.
