87. There are only three specialized institutions for detaining children in conflict with
the law, which are called Child Development Centres. The two centres for boys are
located in Tongi and Jessore and the girls’ centre is in Konabari. These centres
accommodate children with vastly varying needs: children in conflict with the law
(during pre-trial and sentencing); children in safe custody; and children who have been
referred by their parents for being “uncontrollable”. Some children have been also
placed in safe custody in vagrant homes with adults.122 These homes often have very
limited staff capacity, with no trained social workers or counsellors to provide individual
case management. The BNHRC urges the GoB to establish more such institutions.
88. For the protection and promotion of child rights in Bangladesh, the BNHRC has
established a Child Rights Committee. The Committee has been working with the
Government in advocating for legal compliance with the CRC and the Constitution.
The BNHRC has recommended the establishment of the Office of the Child
Ombudsman in conformity with the National Child Development Policy 2011.123
89. The BNHRC has been very active in protecting child rights. On 11 July 2011, the
BNHRC came to know that a 12 years old child had been imprisoned in the Kishoreganj
Central Jail for at least 25 days. A national Bangla-language daily, Prothom Alo reported
that a child had been put in jail together with adult criminals, some of whom were
considered dangerous. On the same day, the BNHRC directed the District Magistrate in
Kishoreganj to inquire into the matter and inform the BNHRC of the status of the child.
On 13 July, the District Magistrate informed that the child had been removed from
Kishoreganj Jail and transferred to the Child Development Centre in Gazipur.124
90. The BNHRC recommends revision of provisions of the Children Act 2013 regarding
minimum age of criminal responsibility, length of pre-trial detention, imprisonment of the
child in case of an heinous offence, Post-trial Captivity, Alternative Measure to
Deprivation of Liberty,Maximum time limit for completing a trial, as well as effective
implementation of the law throughout the country.
91. RECOVERY, REHABILITATION AND SOCIAL INTEGRATION OF CHILD VICTIMS
The BNHRC notes that there are a number of laws in Bangladesh such as the
Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012,125 the Narcotics Control Act
1990,126 the Prevention of Cruelty to Women and Children Act 2000,127
122
UNICEF, Justice for Children in Bangladesh, March 2010, p. 3.
Supra 114, p. 107.
124
Supra 42, p. 32.
125
Supra 100, Section 32.
126
The Narcotics Control Act, Section 16.
127
Supra 11, Section 31.
123
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