“I have just returned from a week in Bangladesh, and I am deeply concerned about the impact of recent violence and ongoing unrest on children,” said Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF regional director for South Asia, in a press statement on Friday.
He said, “UNICEF has now confirmed that at least 32 children were killed during July’s protests, with many more injured and detained. This is a terrible loss. UNICEF condemns all acts of violence. On behalf of UNICEF, I extend my heartfelt condolences to families mourning the loss of their sons and daughters.
“Children must be protected at all times. That is everyone’s responsibility.”
“This means that children should not be arrested or detained based on their mere presence in any location or because of their background, religion, or acts or beliefs of their family members.”
He added, “Supporting children caught up in the violence is a priority for UNICEF. I visited the UNICEF-supported Child Helpline 1098 that has seen a 250% increase in demand since the violence started. I saw how trained counsellors listen to children’s concerns, refer to them the appropriate support and services – and follow up with them.”
In addition, 1,100 social workers, trained by UNICEF, under the Department of Social Services, are providing psychosocial help for children whose mental health has been affected by the violence and curfews.
“These learning losses are compounded by school closures earlier this year due to heat, cyclones and floods. While UNICEF welcomes the reopening of primary schools in many parts of Bangladesh from 4 August, there will still be around 15.5 million school children who are unable to resume learning. The longer children are out of school, especially girls, the less likely they are to return, jeopardizing their future,” the UNICEF regional director said.
“In my meetings with Government, UNICEF partners and organizations working for and with young people, I emphasized that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the right of children to freedom of association and to freedom of peaceful assembly,” Sanjay Wijesekera said, adding, “Children and young people are the future of Bangladesh. They should be protected when they speak up.”
