Third and Fourth Periodic Report on CRC - Unicef

<strong>Third</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Fourth</strong> <strong>Periodic</strong> <strong>Report</strong>
1.2 Political <strong>and</strong> legislative measures
1.2.1 Reservations to the Convention on the Rights of the Child
There is not yet a final decision of the government about the withdrawal of reservations to article 14, paragraph
1 (freedom of thought, conscience <strong>and</strong> religion) <strong>and</strong> article 21 (adoption). The main constraint behind the delay
in withdrawing the reservations is that it to some extent contradicts with Personal Law (Religious or Shariah
Law) of the majority population. The constitution of Bangladesh, of course, duly respects other religions of the
country. However, the State Party keeps it under consideration through examining experiences of ether
countries.
1.2.2 Legal issues <strong>and</strong> amendment of laws
The law entitled Prevention of Repression against Women <strong>and</strong> Children Act, 2000 (as amended in 2003) is
enacted to combat the crime of violence against women <strong>and</strong> children. The law provides for stern measures
including death penalty, life imprisonment for the crime of rape, abduction <strong>and</strong> dowry <strong>and</strong> trafficking related
violence. The age of children has been revised to 16 from 14 years.
The Disability Welfare Act, 2001 came into force from 1 August 2001. It will ensure equality of opportunities,
other benefits <strong>and</strong> privileges to the persons with disabilities (PWD).
To combat the menace of acid attacks, particularly on women <strong>and</strong> children, the government has enacted Acid
Control Act, 2002 to control production <strong>and</strong> sale of corrosive chemicals.
Acid Crimes Prevention Act, 2002 has been enacted to address the acid related crimes more sternly. This law
provides tougher punishment including death sentence for splashing acid on people.
To dispose of the women <strong>and</strong> child related cases, among others, expeditiously the government enacted a Law
<strong>and</strong> other Disruption (Speedy Trial) Act, 2002. Under this Act, a large number of cases related to child rights
violation have been dealt with within a very short time, along with other cases not directly related to children <strong>and</strong>
women.
The Birth <strong>and</strong> Death Registration Act has been enacted in 2004 <strong>and</strong> entered into effect in 2006. This Act is
considered as a saviour in the area of child protection in many respects. It has been followed by five Birth
Registration Rules <strong>and</strong> all of them have been approved.
The Penal Code (Amendment) Act, 2004 has been enacted. The minimum age of criminal responsibility has
been raised to 9 years from 7.
The Mines (Amendment) Act, 2004 has revised the age of children who can be engaged in mines from 15 years
to 18 years to conform to the CRC. Now, this Act prohibits employment of any person below 18 years of age in
any mine.
As per the Court of Wards (Amendment) Act, 2006, any orphaned child who has reached 18 years has now the
right to claim the property or sell it which he/she is supposed to be legally inheriting. Previously the age was 21.
The definition of 'minor' is now consistent in the matters related to age of inheritance with the CRC as per this
amendment.
A new law, Bangladesh Labour law, 2006 has been enacted in October 2006. Among others, it deals with some
prohibitions related to child labour. Child labour, hazardous work by a person below 18 in particular, is prohibited
by this Law. Government will continue to identify/prepare <strong>and</strong> publish list of such hazardous works. For any
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