Legal notice seeks government action to prevent child abuse in madrasas

A legal notice has been sent to four government secretaries, demanding immediate measures to prevent sexual abuse, rape and physical violence against children in madrasas across Bangladesh.

Supreme Court lawyer Mohammad Nurul Huda sent the notice on Monday, naming the secretaries of the home, education, law and religious affairs ministries as respondents.

The notice asks the authorities to take appropriate action within five days of receiving it, failing which a writ petition will be filed with the High Court.

Among its key demands, the notice calls for a national Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Protection Cell covering all types of madrasas, including Alia, Qawmi and Hifz institutions.

It also proposes dedicated child protection committees at every madrasa and residential religious institution to receive abuse complaints and take immediate action.

The notice further asks national, district and upazila child welfare boards to audit child protection measures at madrasas under their jurisdiction and make the findings public.

It also calls for mandatory CCTV cameras at madrasa entrances, corridors, classrooms and common residential areas. However, cameras would be prohibited in bathrooms, toilets and other private spaces to protect students' privacy.

The notice comes amid growing concern over reported cases of sexual and physical abuse of children at madrasas across the country, which have sparked public outrage.

It says stronger state oversight and legal safeguards are needed to prevent such incidents and ensure a safe environment for children in religious educational institutions.