Issuing a strong warning against child repression, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday said those involved in killing and torturing children must face ‘toughest’ punishment.
“Repression on children will not be tolerated anymore. People involved in killing and torturing children must have to face the toughest punishment,” she said.
The prime minister issued the warning while addressing a function marking the birthday of Sheikh Russell, youngest son of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, report BSS and UNB.
Sheikh Russel Jatiya Shishu Kishore Parishad arranged the programme at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka.
The premier said, “People have been encouraged in killing and torture of the children since August 15 in 1975 when not only the President, but also the children and women were killed. But they were not given punishment at that time.”
“Instead of punishing them, a law was enacted to stop the trail for the heinous killings, rather the killers were rewarded. They even didn’t allow us to file any case in this regard,” she added.
Describing the recent killing of a child reportedly by his father as the outcome of a perverted mentality, she said, “Such a killing might not take place, if the trial of the killings of women and children were held at that time.”
The premier said that her government has been working to ensure beautiful life for each of the children so that none of them has to face the same fate of Sheikh Russell.
Sheikh Hasina, the eldest sister of Sheikh Russel, said the government wants that no child will face killing and all children will live in a beautiful atmosphere.
"Every child will have their meaningful life. That’s our only aim,” she said.
The Prime Minister urged the children and youths of the county to stay away from terrorism, militancy and drugs.
She requested all to lead an honest life.
Sheikh Hasina said there is a hidden spirit and power in all children. "You have to build yourself. That is the best thing," she said.
Describing various parts of Sheikh Russel's life she said Russel inherited a kind heart. "If he had lived, he could have done a lot for the country," she added.
Nothing that Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had enacted Children Rights Act in 1974 for protecting the rights of children, she said, “We have formulated the National Children Policy in 2011 and taken measures to protect children’s rights and given special attention so that children can get the scopes for education, sports, physical and cultural exercises.”
Today is the 56th birthday of Sheikh Russel, also the youngest brother of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He was born on October 18, 1964 at the historic Bangabandhu Bhaban at Dhanmondi. He was assassinated on August 15, 1975.
Sheikh Russel was brutally killed along with most of his family members, including his father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, when he was a student of class four at University Laboratory School.
Founding president of the organisation Md Raqibur Rahman presided over the function while its secretary general Mahmudus Samad Chowdhury, MP, adviser Tarafder Ruhul Amin, and central organising secretary KM Shahidullah, spoke on the occasion.
Earlier, the Prime Minister distributed prizes among the winners and later enjoyed a colourful cultural programme.
