One after another, little girls between the ages of four and ten are being raped and murdered in Bangladesh. The nation is witnessing a horrifying rise in brutality against children, yet there appears to be no effective response capable of stopping these crimes.
Congressman Barney Frank: a man of humanity
In the 1990s, when impoverished Bangladeshi girls were trafficked into slave-like servitude and young boys were abused as camel jockeys in Gulf countries, courageous voices in the United States Congress stood up against these injustices. Among them were Barney Frank and Joe Kennedy Jr..
Congressman Frank personally requested UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy to assist in repatriating several abused Bangladeshi children and girls from Pakistan and the Gulf states. Although UNICEF rarely provided funds directly to individuals, she made an exception at his request.
Through combined efforts of lawmakers, activists, journalists, and humanitarian organizations, those abusive practices were eventually brought to global attention and curtailed.
Today, Congressman Barney Frank has passed away at the age of 86, and many of us deeply miss his humanity, courage, and moral clarity. Bangladesh today needs leaders with similar wisdom and compassion — individuals who respond not to politics, but to the call of humanity.
Congressman Frank was not a Muslim, yet he believed in the universal principle that when one innocent person is humiliated or oppressed unjustly, society itself is disgraced.
What Is Happening in Bangladesh?
The recent rape and murder of four-year-old Fahima in Sylhet shocked the nation. According to reports, she was assaulted and killed by a neighbor. Tragically, Fahima is not alone.
The growing list of victims includes Ramissa (7), Shabiha (6), Raisa (5), Moyna (8), Ira (8), Atiya (9), Ayesha (7), Rozoni (8), Pahatee (10), Faria (9), Lamiya (5), and Dulla (8) — all children under the age of ten.
Prime Minister Tariq Rahman met Ramissa’s parents to show sympathy but sympathy is not enough. The question many Bangladeshis are asking is simple: why are these horrific crimes increasing so rapidly, and why has the state failed to stop them?
Possible Causes Behind the Rise in Crime
Many social observers point to several contributing factors.
First, worsening poverty and inflation following the political upheaval of July 2024 when power was usurped by Dr. Muhammed Yunus have pushed more families to below poverty levels and finding financial difficulties, they are increasingly sending their children to tuition-free madrassas and maktabs that provide free food and shelter.
Secondly, Yunus administration destroyed all institutions including educational institutions. He further undermined the traditional discipline and fear of punishment that kept many from involving in criminal activities. Rather he encouraged radical jihadi mobs to loot, steal, extort, destroy, burn and kill innocent people and their properties. That mob culture with immunity does neither believe in justice, morality nor social order. Remember his radical jihadi mobs killed a (1) supporter of Sheikh Hasina government openly hacking with stones as he refused to pay extortion money, (2) killed a garment worker Depu by burning him alive for being a minority Hindu that always supports Awami League (AL) party, and (3) another young supporter of AL was killed by forcibly buried alive in a graveyard like medieval times.
Critics argue that weak oversight in some institutions creates opportunities for abuse, while conservative social norms often discourage families from reporting sexual violence.
Third, critics contend that the breakdown of institutional discipline and law enforcement during the interim administration of Muhammad Yunus contributed to rising lawlessness. They argue that political unrest, mob violence, extortion, and a perceived culture of impunity weakened respect for law and order.
Fourth, some analysts claim that unchecked corruption, drug abuse, and criminal activity expanded amid weakened governance and ineffective accountability mechanisms during Yunus administration encouraged such criminal activities. In addition, Dr. Yunus reportedly bribed and distributed free money to many people and thus encouraged them to be above law enforcement agencies and negligent and careless to social and traditional norms.
What Must Be Done?
Many believe the government of Tarique Rahman must restore strict rule of law, impartial justice, and accountability. He should follow former Iron-lady Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who governed Bangladesh for a total of 21 years with flying colors.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was often criticized for being politically harsh, but supporters argue that she took action even against members of her own party when they were accused of serious crimes. Examples frequently cited include the punishment of Jubo League leader Ismail Hossain Chowdhury Samrat, disciplinary action against former Gazipur Mayor Jahangir Alam, and prosecutions connected to the Narayanganj seven-murder case. She arrested and punished even the son-in-law of her own Cabinet colleague, a valiant freedom fighter of great courage and reputation Mofazzul Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Bir Uttom. His son-in-law was an Army Colonel and was serving as a Commander of RAB (Rapid Action Battalion) that was involved in that specific operation and committed crimes.
Critics now argue that Bangladesh urgently needs independent judges, professional police leadership, and nonpartisan institutions capable of enforcing justice fairly and consistently.
They also warn that police morale has sharply declined following the deaths of thousands of officers during 2024 July unrest. Sadly, the murderers of police officials were granted Indemnity; no one can sue them or seek justice for their loved ones— such indemnity must be done away with immediately. In fact, unless perpetrators of violence against law enforcement are brought to justice and institutional confidence is restored, many fear lawlessness and violent crime will continue to grow.
Expressing Sympathy is not enough
Expressing sympathy after each tragedy is not enough. The state must accept responsibility for protecting its children and ensuring that such horrific crimes are neither tolerated nor repeated.
Writer: Professor Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, Former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh (2019-2024) & former Permanent Representative to the UN (2009-2015)
* In the early 1990s, when Professor Dr. Abdul Momen campaigned internationally against the trafficking and abuse of Bangladeshi children in Gulf countries, prominent American leaders including Barney Frank, Joe Kennedy Jr., Chet Atkins, Joe Mokley, Tom Lantos, Ted Kennedy, Olympia Dukakis, Mike Dukakis, and John Kerry helped raise international awareness about the issue, the abusive practices were reduced or stopped.
