HRSS Report: 352 Women and Girls Abused
Collected Photo
A monthly report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) reveals that a total of 352 women and girls were victims of abuse. Among them, 106 were victims of rape, 75 of whom were under the age of 18.
HRSS confirmed the matter in a press release on Thursday. The report was compiled using news from 16 national dailies, internal data collection, and fact-finding investigations.
The findings indicate a rise in fatalities compared to May, which saw five deaths and 289 injuries. During the same period, 31 individuals lost their lives in various forms of violence, including theft, robbery, and mob lynchings.
HRSS identified dominance, political disputes, internal party feuds, and extortion as the primary drivers behind most of the violence.
Highlighting the depiction of violence against women and children, the report stated that 19 individuals were victims of gang rape, and two girls were murdered following the assault. During the same period, 94 women and girls were subjected to sexual harassment.
Domestic violence resulted in 57 women killed, 48 injured, and 36 suicides. 291 children were victims of abuse, leading to 54 deaths.
Regarding the situation of journalists, the report mentioned that 47 journalists fell victim to abuse and harassment in 39 incidents during June. Among them, at least 28 were injured, five were assaulted, and nine faced threats.
Additionally, authorities detained five journalists, while 12 journalists were named as defendants in seven different cases.
The organization also expressed concern regarding freedom of assembly and expression. According to the report, 17 people were injured and 36 were detained across six incidents where law enforcement blocked meetings and rallies.
During the same period, at least 11 people were detained, and seven cases were filed in 11 incidents involving interference with the freedom of expression. The report identified arrests and legal actions stemming from social media comments as a significant new concern.
Victims of the political unrest included five members of the BNP, three from the Awami League, and one member of an extremist group. Internal BNP conflicts alone accounted for 21 incidents, leaving three dead and 146 injured.
Law enforcement arrested 4,775 individuals, including 1,559 from Awami League, 35 from the BNP and 2 from Jamaat-e-Islami.
The report also highlighted severe human rights violations, documenting three deaths involving law enforcement - two in alleged gunfights and one resulting from torture in DB custody.
Regarding the situation of minority communities, the report stated that seven people were injured in 12 attack incidents. Attacks and vandalism targeted 12 temples, 11 idols, and seven residential houses. A woman from an ethnic minority group fell victim to gang rape.
Concerning the border situation, the report mentioned that five incidents along the India-Bangladesh border resulted in two deaths, two injuries, and four individuals suffering gunshot wounds. BSF detained one person.
Moreover, seven people were pushed in, and attempts were made to push in more than 400 women, men, and children.
Meanwhile, three separate landmine explosions at the Bangladesh-Myanmar border claimed the lives of three people, including one Rohingya.
On labor rights, the report noted that 11 people were killed and 184 injured in 55 incidents of worker abuse. Workplace accidents caused by insecure and unsanitary environments led to the deaths of another 39 workers.
Finally, authorities detained 26 garment workers during protests demanding wages and allowances.
