Conscious civil society has demanded an independent and impartial investigation into the death of minority child Preeti Urang as a ‘murder’ and speedy trial of those involved in the incident.
They made this demand in a press conference at the Abdus Salam auditorium of the National Press Club on Thursday (April 25) afternoon, highlighting various information found in their investigation.
Farha Tanjim Titil, associate professor of Islamic University, presented a written statement at the press conference under the chairmanship of Khushi Kabir, coordinator of the development organization Nijera Kari.
Farha Tanjim Titil said, although civil society has repeatedly demanded and requested the government for the protection and welfare of domestic workers, we do not see any reflection of it in reality. The numerous cases of violence against domestic workers in recent times remind us again and again of its necessity. On February 6, the child from a minority ethnic group died unexpectedly at the residence of Syed Ashfaqul Haque, the former executive editor of Daily Star, in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. After this incident, he was fired on April 4.
He said that there have been allegations of killing Preeti Urang surrounding her unusual death. We want a fair, independent, neutral, influence-free, impartial and transparent investigation of this incident and strict punishment of the guilty through speedy trial. Some other child domestic workers were tortured in that house.
A doctor who examined Preeti told a TV channel that Preeti had injury marks on her throat. Anus is abnormally large. Durgamani Bauri, another child domestic worker of the house said that Syed Ashfaqul Haque beat her with a belt. Blood pooled in his head. Locals have alleged that Preeti was killed by throwing her from the eighth floor. Preeti’s father complained that Syed Ashfaqul Haque’s family did not allow Preeti to talk to her parents while working in that house. They also received little remuneration. We are vocal in demanding a fair, impartial and impartial investigation and fair trial of these incidents.
He further said that it is evident to us that proper investigation will prove the truth of the allegations. Therefore, I demand the government to pay special attention to the matter and complete the trial of the real criminals by carrying out an impartial, speedy, fair, impartial, influence-free and transparent investigation of the incident.
In the president’s speech, advocate Khushi Kabir said that a tribal girl named Preeti Orang was brought and killed. I call it murder. Either way, be it by accident or self-initiated, or caused to him in such a way, that his life is lost. This is not acceptable. We definitely want fair trial, impartial investigation. Also, we want to tell the government clearly to ensure everyone’s safety.
He also said that every person’s life has a value. A highly educated, responsible person, if such an incident happens in his house, it means that it happens in every house. We will not tolerate this anymore.
At this time, 10-point demands were presented by the conscious civil society. They are:
1. A fair, independent, impartial, unbiased, influence-free and transparent investigation into the unusual death or killing of Preeti Orang should be carried out and the guilty should be brought under the law and strict punishment should be ensured.
2. If Preeti Orang’s death is considered a negligent homicide, she will be deliberately lightened. This case should be brought under the Prevention of Women and Child Abuse Act and tried in the Women and Child Abuse Tribunal. For this, we demand that appropriate authorities or higher judicial orders be given if necessary.
3. Adequate financial compensation should be provided to Preeti’s family. Also, all measures should be taken to ensure the safety of his family.
4. Any other surviving child abused in Ashfaqul Haque’s home should be given adequate compensation including ensuring proper medical and educational facilities.
5. The actual incident should be investigated by examining the particular wound on the child’s body. If necessary, the culprits should be identified and punished appropriately in legal process.
6. There were 3 child domestic workers in Syed Ashfaqul Haque’s house. They join work at the age of 7, 8 and 11 years. A child is a person who has not completed 14 years of age as per labor law of Bangladesh. According to Section 34 of the Labor Act, no child shall be employed as a laborer in any occupation or establishment. We demand an objective investigation into any instances of child abuse against Syed Ashfaqul Haque or any other member of his family. Also, I am demanding his trial and punishment in the legal process.
7. The janitors who did not allow Preeti to be rescued from the hanging position on the instructions of the owner of the house, should also be brought under impartial justice and punished. Along with this, I demand to bring Fulsai Orang, a reporter of Daily Star from Moulvibazar and Preeti’s uncle, under investigation.
8. We demand a separate investigation into whether any gang was involved in trafficking and sexual slavery of children brought from tea plantations.
9. We strongly demand that the policy on child labor be turned into law. I demand from the government to make the age of children 16 years instead of 14 years in employment. Along with this, I am demanding from the government to make the age of children 16 years instead of 14 years in the case of employment at home in the protection and welfare policy of domestic workers.
10. In 2017, according to the instructions of the court, the Ministry of Labor, District Administrator and Upazila Nirbahi Officer were given the instructions to form monitoring cells across the country to protect the rights of domestic workers, I demand immediate implementation. At the same time to ensure the protection of the rights of domestic workers, every house must be inspected.
Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad General Secretary Advocate Rana Dasgupta, Writer Rehnuma Ahmed, Supreme Court Senior Advocate Advocate Tobarak Hossain, Dhaka University Anthropology Department Professor Zobaida Nasreen Kona, Author Researcher Priscilla Raj, Workers Party of Bangladesh Abul Hossain, Executive of ALRD were present at the press conference. Director Shamsul Huda, Nasimun Ara Haque Minu, Professor Geeti Ara Nasreen etc.
AAM/MAH/JIM
Tags: Preeti Urangs death considered homicide demands justice
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