Rapid trials set for acid attacks

The Bangladesh Home Ministry, in a comprehensive step against the menace of acid attacks on girls, decided last December 24 to dispose of cases related to these incidents in three months.

"All efforts are being made to dispose of acid-throwing incidents within three months," said Home Minister Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, presiding over a high-level ministerial meeting to draw up measures to prevent these incidents.

Reviewing the existing law regarding acid attack, which even imposes capital punishment for some of these crimes, the meeting emphasised enforcement of the law so that culprits are not allowed to go scot-free.

The meeting also decided that some such cases would be revived to ensure justice to the victims.

"Financial assistance will also be given to poor victims to conduct the cases and get treatment," Altaf Hossain Chowdhury noted.

Despite a tough law to deal with those who throw acid on others disfiguring them for life, this inhuman crime is difficult to curb because of an inordinate delay in disposal of cases and denial of justice in many cases.

Hundreds of acid victims, who have filed cases, continue living in misery and fear as the perpetrators of this criminal act remain at large.

Neela Khanam, 20, of Tupipara village in Sreepur sub-district of Magura district, is a victim of acid attack. She filed a case about two years ago, but the trial is yet to begin.

The hearing of the case has been deferred as many as five times. Neela's face, hands and abdomen were badly burnt when Aminul, a spoiled brat in the neighbourhood, threw acid on her when she rejected his proposal.

Asma Begum, 25, of Aushtogram sub-district in Kishoreganj district, was scarred by acid in August, 1999, as she refused to marry Asadul, 28.

She filed a case against Asadul who was arrested, but the court released him on bail. He is allegedly influencing the process of law and delaying the trial. Shahinoor of Gabtali (Bogra), Golmeher of Gazipur, Rubina of Jhenidah and many other victims are frustrated at the protracted process of justice.

Roksana Begum, case manager of Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF), who has been looking into more than 50 cases since 1999, said the time-consuming process of trial has failed to discourage such brutal acts, mostly on young girls.

She noted that the criminals indulge in such acts with impunity, in the absence of exemplary punishment.