Law Minister Anisul Huq has informed that the Women and Children Repression Prevention (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 would be issued on Tuesday with a provision to enhance the punishment of rapists from life term to death.
“That means the law will be effective from tomorrow (Tuesday) once President Abdul Hamid promulgates the ordinance,” he said.
As the Parliament is not in session now, the President will promulgate an ordinance tomorrow.
A number of recent rape incidents have created a public outcry across the country that prompted the government to amend the act incorporating a provision of the death penalty as the highest punishment for rape.
The approval came from the weekly Cabinet meeting held virtually with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The minister, later, in a press conference has hoped that the inclusion of the death penalty provision in the ordinance would reduce the tendency of rape.
“The government has decided to enhance the punishment of rapists from life term to the death penalty. The law will be effective tomorrow (Tuesday) once President Abdul Hamid promulgates the ordinance,” he said.
“There are many debates worldwide about the death sentence. Despite that, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thinks punishment should be increased because of the current situation. In that context, the amendment has been made,” he said, adding, “Besides, a decision has been taken to dispose of the old cases first and then new ones at the shortest possible time.
The minister said that the Judiciary is independent. The chief justice would be requested to give a practice direction so that the judges concerned take necessary steps for quick disposal of the cases in Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunals.
Photo credit: Collected
News source: The Daily Observer
