RAPIST TO FACE DEATH PENALTY IN BANGLADESH

President Abdul Hamid is all set to promulgate an ordinance on death penalty for convicted rapists.

The approval came at the weekly cabinet meeting held virtually with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair. She joined the meeting from the Gono Bhaban, while her cabinet colleagues attended it from the Secretariat.

Later, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told reporters that the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs proposed incorporating the provision of capital punishment in the Act, terming rape a heinous crime.

“The matter was discussed in detail in the cabinet meeting. Everyone agreed to incorporate capital punishment in the Act,” he said.

Cabinet had earlier okayed the proposal to amend law as president  and government has moved to ensure speedy trial of rape.

Amid countrywide protests denouncing violence against women, the cabinet had to approv the draft of Women and Children Repression Prevention (Amendment) Bill, 2020, incorporating the provision of capital punishment for rape.

(Daily Star)