Justice for Ramisa: Outrage grows nationwide, calls mount to end child abuse
Demonstrators across the country are demanding immediate arrests, speedy trials and stricter enforcement of child protection laws
The rape and murder of eight-year-old Ramisa Akter in Dhaka's Pallabi has triggered nationwide protests and renewed calls for stronger action against child abuse and sexual violence.
Demonstrators across the country are demanding immediate arrests, speedy trials and stricter enforcement of child protection laws.
The outrage comes amid a series of recent reports of violence against children.
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At least six children have been killed across Bangladesh in the past ten days; five of them were killed after being sexually assaulted. The victims, all aged 11 or below, were reported from multiple districts.
On 19 May, in Dhaka's Pallabi, Ramisa was beheaded at a neighbour's flat after being raped.
In Banasree, a 10-year-old boy was raped inside a madrasa and later died by suicide.
In Munshiganj's Sirajdikhan, a man allegedly raped and strangled his 10-year-old niece. In Sylhet Sadar, a four-year-old girl was murdered following a rape attempt.
In Thakurgaon, a four-year-old was raped while bathing in the Tangon river.
In Rajshahi's Durgapur, a four-year-old girl's body was recovered 21 hours after she went missing.
In Chattogram's Satkania, a school teacher allegedly raped a five-year-old student.
Protests across country
Amidst these reports, a protest under the banner "Justice for Ramisa" was held in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh at around 3:30pm today (21 May).
Demonstrators chanted slogans – "We want death penalty for rapists" and "No place for rapists in my Sonar Bangla."
Teachers, students and guardians also gathered in Mirpur-11, bringing out a procession in front of Ramisa's residence. Participants carried placards reading "We Want Justice" and "Justice for Ramisa."
Local residents later blocked roads in Mirpur Kalshi.
Students of Cumilla University staged a protest march, demanding the death penalty for the main accused Sohail Rana and exemplary punishment for those involved.
In Lakshmipur, a platform named "Rape Prevention Platform Lakshmipur" organised a protest march and rally at Ilish Square, calling for justice in the Ramisa case and other incidents of violence.
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami's Dhaka city unit also held a rally at the south gate of Baitul Mukarram, protesting the overall law and order situation and demanding the arrest of those involved in crimes.
Rights orgs condemn violence against children
Rights organisations condemned the incidents of violence against children while expressing serious concern over continued crisis.
The Coalition for Advancing Equality and Justice said the killing reflects "serious gaps in accountability and protection systems for children in Bangladesh."
Meanwhile, the Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), released a report – between January and 20 May 2026, at least 118 children were victims of rape, while 46 faced attempted rape.
During the same period, at least 14 children were killed following rape, three were killed after failed attempts, and at least two died by suicide after being subjected to rape.
