The resignation of two top allies of Prime Minister Victor Orban over a decision to pardon a man convicted of covering up a child sexual abuse case has done little to quell public anger. Tens of thousands of people in Hungary protested in the capital, Budapest on Friday amid a continuing fallout from a scandal that has rocked Prime Minister Viktor Orban's government. President Katalin Novak and former Justice Minister Judit Varga both resigned last weekend for supporting a decision to grant a pardon to a man implicated in a child sex abuse scandal in April 2023. The deputy director of a state-run orphanage who had been imprisoned for covering up a string of child sexual abuses was pardoned last year, but it only became known early this month.  Both ministers were close allies of Orban, whose party has governed the country with a constitutional majority for nearly 14 years. YouTubers and online creators lead protests Demonstrators, led by some of the most popular online personalities, filled the capital's sprawling Heroes' Square and called for genuine reforms to Hungary's child protection system. “I don’t know exactly what we’re going to achieve at the end of the day,” said Zsolt Osvath, a popular online content creator who helped organize the demonstration. “But it’s certain that we won’t stay silent any longer, and that we had to step out from the comfort zone of our computer screens.” The organizers included nearly a dozen popular YouTubers and other content creators who wrote they were "distraught" over the revealtions and protesting for a "healthy society." Political parties were asked to stay away from Friday's demonstration.  Orban chief of staff says government looking to "the future" Orban's Chief of Staff Gergely Gulyas told a press briefing earlier on Friday Orban did not have knowledge of the pardon until last week. "The prime minister himself learned about the affair in the press," he said. He said the president and the former justice minister took responsibility for the issue and the government considered the matter closed. Gulyas added that it was important "to look into the future" and the government would looking to tighten child protection regulations.  Orban was scheduled to deliver his annual state of the nation address on Saturday.   

Vision 2021, a voluntary organisation, arranges a graffiti painting-based activity with child artists throughout Dhaka city every year in an attempt to spread the spirit of the Liberation War of 1971 and the country's history amongst the up-and-coming generation. The innovative activity, fostered and curated by former Cultural Affairs Minister and eminent cultural personality, Asaduzzaman Noor has commenced recently with hundreds of child artists painting the roadside walls of Dhaka city. The cultural icon said, "Through this initiative, we are trying to foster the innate creativity of these children. I think graffiti art is crucial to a  creative cultural development and I hope people from all walks will appreciate the good work these children have been putting into their artworks." The programme titled, "Rangao Tomar Shohor" (paint your city) commences every year after the final term school exam of these child artists and continues for the following two months. The 52th year of independence is the theme of the art programme. Through graffiti school-going artists are painting their respective interpretations of the War of Independence, their country, history, flag, and other patriotic acts.

Alarming statistics have once again exposed the inability of both federal and provincial governments to effectively eliminate child labour, with laws falling short of addressing the pressing issue that persists despite recent crackdowns. According to the documents seen by The Express Tribune, more than 700,000 children between the ages of 10 and 14 are subjected to labour in brick kilns and the agriculture sector across the country. Of the total workforce of over 71 million children engaged in various sectors nationwide, a staggering 26 million are employed in agriculture and brick kilns. The disturbing statistics reveal that amid the claims and assurances by government bodies and institutions to curb child labour, the ground reality tells a different story. Data shared by the Federal Bureau of Statistics with the Senate Secretariat outlines the substantial workforce in the agriculture sector, totalling over 2.51 million workers, including 1.47 million men and 1.04 million women. Moreover, approximately 833,000 labourers—689,000 men and 144,000 women—are employed in brick kilns. Over 693,000 children between the ages of 10 and 14 are engaged in forced labour within the agriculture sector, while 24,478 children are compelled to work in brick kilns, according to the report. Disturbingly, over 399,000 girls and 294,000 boys are toiling in the fields. In contrast, 14,500 boys and 10,000 girls are subjected to labour in brick kilns. Despite provincial legislation prohibiting child labour and setting age limits, the numbers remain alarming: 436,000 in Punjab, 113,000 in Sindh, 90,000 in Balochistan, and over 54,000 children in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are forced to work in the agriculture sector. Moreover, the document points out that over 14.7 million boys and girls above the age of 15 are involved in agriculture, while 648,000 children are working in brick kilns nationwide. In K-P, 2.934 million children above 15 years of age are engaged in agriculture, with 76,500 working in brick kilns. Sindh accounts for 1.103 million boys and girls in the agriculture sector, while Balochistan reports 3,251 children working in agriculture and over 81,000 in brick kilns. Source: TRIBUNE

A body of a one and half years old boy has been recovered after 17 hours of missing at Agrabad in Chattogram.  Kafil Uddin, an officer of Agrabad Fire Station said, On Monday around 9 am the body was recovered, who went missing after falling into a canal in waterlogged after heavy rains. The deceased was identified as Yashin Arafat, son of Saddam Hussain of Agrabad area. Earlier on Sunday afternoon, the boy fell into a drain while playing on the street. Fire service officer said, their diving team and city corporation cleaning staff launched the rescue operation again on Monday morning and recovered the body around 9am. The body was handed over to the family members.

Taskin Ahmed and his wife have been blessed with their third child on Thursday at 1.30 am. He shared the information in a facebook post.  He also said that both his wife Syeda Rabeya Naima and the baby are in good condition. Earlier on September 30, 2018, Taskin became the father of his first child, after that in 2022, april 22 they blessed with second children. Taskin Ahmed and Syeda Rabeya Naima married on October 31, 2017.

The Cabinet today (Monday) decided that none under 14 years could be recruited to work, approving the proposal of ratifying ILO Convention-138 which restricted employment of any child below 15.    The Cabinet suggested that considering the socioeconomic condition of any country, the age limit of work entry should be 14 years.   The approval came at the Cabinet's regular meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.    The premier joined the meeting virtually from her official residence Ganabhaban, while her Cabinet colleagues were at the meeting room of the Cabinet Division in Bangladesh Secretariat.    "Considering the socio-economic condition of any country, the age limit of recruitment to work could be reduced to 14 years, but not less than it. The cabinet thinks 14-year is suitable for Bangladesh," said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam.    He briefed the newsmen after the Cabinet meeting at Bangladesh Secretariat.    The cabinet secretary said “ILO Convention-138” carries special significance as out of 189 countries across the world, 173 have signed it.   He said, "The main issue is that generally 15 years is required to complete the basic education and that's why, no child under 15 can be employed."    But, considering the socio-economic condition in particular, he said, "14-year is suitable for Bangladesh."    The cabinet secretary, however, said that these children, whether they are 14 or 15 years old, cannot be engaged in any risky or dangerous work under  any circumstances.    Children cannot be involved in activities that could lead to accidents or deaths, he said, adding that "And even if children of this age are employed, they cannot be treated as adult."    He continued that they cannot be presented as an adult in marriage or other cases.     "If anyone commits crime at this age, he or she will be considered a child offender," he added.    Replying to a query that if someone employs a child under the age of 14 or 15 years what would be the punishment, Khandker Anwarul said punishment would be given according to the Labour Law.    The Cabinet also approved the draft of Export Policy 2021-2024 brought by the Ministry of Commerce. Normally, the government adopts an export policy  every three years.    The cabinet secretary said the policy has been given approval to cope with the upcoming challenges being emerged following the graduation of the country  from the LDCs.    "Product diversification and identifying priority products, expansion of export industry, importance of labour-based export industry, skilled development, making trade and investment easier and adaptation of comprehensive policy as well have been given special focus in the export policy," he said.    He added particularly the country's graduation, 4IR, three year grace period in EU market after the graduation and economic diplomacy have also been given special importance.    Besides, the Cabinet also in principle approved the draft of Bangabandhu Public University Naogaon Act, 2022 and the draft of Thakurgaon University Act, 2022.   With these two new, the cabinet secretary said the number of public universities will reach 52. The country now has 108 private universities.    In addition, a draft of the BIMSTEC Certificate was also approved in today's Cabinet meeting.    Regarding the certificate, the cabinet secretary said it needs to be signed before the 5th BIMSTEC Conference scheduled to be held on March 30 in Sri Lanka and that is why it was placed at the Cabinet meeting.    He said Bangladesh would provide secretarial function and BIMSTEC secretariat would be in Dhaka.   Following the sign of BIMSTEC Certificate, he said, a free-trade region would be possible to be formed among the member countries alongside the development of communication for transportation of goods.   The Cabinet also apprised of the visits of Bangladesh delegation led by Agriculture Minister to the Netherlands and the United Kingdom during 08-18 November 2021, Bangladesh delegation led by Railways Minister to the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain and France from 22nd November to 6th December 2021, and Bangladesh delegation led by Railways Minister to Russia during 18-25 December 2021. Source: BSS AH

Displaying rare courage and presence of mind, a Central Railway employee raced an oncoming express train to save the life of a young boy who had fallen on the railway track, officials said here on Monday. The incident happened on April 17 evening at Vangani Station of Central Railway in Thane and the Pointsman Mayur Shelke's feat earned him an appreciative tweet from Railway Minister Piyush Goyal. As per CCTV footage, a visually-handicapped woman is seen carrying a heavy rucksack walking on the platform when a 6-year-old child accompanying her suddenly seems to stumble and fall on to the railway tracks below. The footage also shows the Bengaluru-Mumbai Udayan Express train speeding on the same track when the Pointsman Shelke is seen running on that track from the opposite direction to help the boy. As the train speed headlong before him, he seemed to hesitate momentarily, but continued to sprint and helped up the child who was trying to clamber on the high platform. Shelke pushed the child up and also desperately hoisted himself as barely a second later the train zoomed onto the platform, but both the kid and his guardian angel were saved by virtually by a hair's breadth. "Very proud of Mayur Shelke, Railwayman from the Vangani Railway Station who has done an exceptionally courageous act, risked his own life & saved a child's life," said Goyal in a tweet. CR Spokesperson Shivaji Sutar said the staffer is being rewarded for his alertness and daring which helped rescue a boy from certain death on the tracks. Further details of the blind woman and the minor boy, how they happened to be on the platform during the lockdown norms, etc, are awaited, but Shelke's feat has made him a darling of social media.

The cabinet today (Monday) gave final nod to a draft of “The Child Daycare Centre Act, 2021” keeping a provision of maximum 10 years in jail in case of failure to ensure proper security and safety to the children. The approval came from a regular weekly meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, joining it from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital. “A provision was included in the proposed law to ensure maximum 10 years imprisonment along with fine for acts creating threat to the lives of children, negligence in duty or ruthless behavior with them,” Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam told a news briefing after the meeting. He said the provision of punishment has given a strong message that no carelessness and brutality towards the children will be tolerated. “If any child is lost from a daycare centre due to negligence, maximum 10 years imprisonment and Taka five lakh fine will have to be faced,” he continued The proposed law has been brought mainly to support the growing number of working women. The cabinet secretary said that government, semi-government, non-government , statutory and autonomous organisations can set up and run child daycare centres after getting registration from the concerned authorities. After passage of the law, none can run any daycare centre without getting registered, he said, adding that it will be an offense to run any such centre without registration. The proposed law has suggested holding at least one meeting with the service takers in every three months, he said. The cabinet secretary said that the Prime Minister asked all concerned for reducing the age limit from 55 to 40 years to get registered for Covid-19 vaccination — aiming to expand and accelerate the Covid-19 inoculation campaign for commoners. He said the premier asked to make the registration process easier. The Prime Minister also proposed to use Union Digital Centres for the registration purpose, he said. The premier called upon all to follow the health guideline properly which includes wearing facemasks and washing hands. Anwarul said that the cabinet directed the ministries to enact fresh laws by June next replacing the ordinances promulgated during the 1975 (August)-1978 and 1982-1986 (September) regimes in accordance with a judgment of the High Court passed in 2013. In this connection, he said, “Among the ordinances, most of the necessary ones have already been replaced with new laws. Now there are only 59 laws, which need to be replaced.” The cabinet secretary said that the meeting also gave the final approval to the draft of “The Bankers’ Book Evidence Bill 2021” replacing the old Bankers’ Book Evidence Act 1891. In accordance with the proposed law, the digitally recorded documents will be treated as bankers’ book evidence, he added. Anwarul added that the cabinet approved a proposal to stop the production of the drug “Ketoprofen” in an effort to save the critically-endangered vultures. Noting that now there are only 260 vultures in the country, according to the count of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, where as the total number of vultures were 50,000 during the 1970s, the cabinet secretary said the ministry placed the proposal saying that the supply of Ketoprofen drug need to be stopped to save the vultures. “In the proposal, they have suggested ‘Meloxicam’ as an alternative to ‘Ketoprofen’ since the former is available in the market and its side-effects are very light,” Anwarul added. The meeting also ratified an agreement signed between Bangladesh and Morocco for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion. The agreement was signed on February 28, 2018 in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco. Source: BSS AH

There is an allegation of raping a five year old girl child at Harirampur upazila under Manikganj district. At present the child is undergoing treatment at Manikganj Sadar Hospital. Grandmother of the child said, in the morning of September 26, a 45 years old man called the child to his house and raped her. The child came to her house and began to cry. When asked about the cause of crying the child described the incident of repression. The child’s grandmother also said, as they complained about the matter to father of the accused Jamir, he assured of arbitration. But after not getting justice for three days, they then informed the matter to a local union council member. Following his suggestion the child was admitted to the Manikganj Sadar Hospital yesterday (Tuesday). AH 

Mentioning that she was moved immensely by unnatural death of any child elsewhere across the globe, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sounded a note of warning against child repression as her government gave special attention on securing every child’s life. “We are taking measures to ensure their (children) security. We are giving special attention on taking immediate action once repression on the children in any form takes place. We want our children to be safe and good human beings,” she said while virtually inaugurating the World Children’s Day and Child Rights Week-2020. The premier opened the event as the chief guest from her official Ganabhaban residence in the capital through a video conference organized by the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs from Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium. Recalling the assassination of her 10-year old brother Sheikh Russell along with other children and the Father of the Nation and most of his family members on August 15, 1975, she said, “I am shocked seriously whenever witness unnatural death of any child, no matter it takes place at home or abroad or on the Bay of Bengal or beside the Mediterranean Sea.” She reiterated her desire that they wanted to turn the world into a suitable and peaceful abode for the children. In this connection, Sheikh Hasina mentioned, “We have said that today’s children are the future of the nation. Yes, it is indeed, but we have to build the future generation as good human beings by creating scopes to utilize their talent, knowledge and intellect.” She went on saying that it would be possible only then when a congenial atmosphere will be created for them with ensuring basic needs including proper education and better healthcare services alongside making arrangements for getting involved in sports and culture to give them a beautiful and developed life. The Prime Minister also unveiled covers of a number of children’s books (25 books) written on the life and works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, “Amra Ekechi 100 Mujib”, a book published with selected pictures drawn by children, and “Amra Likhechi 100 Mujib”, another book published with writings of children, on the occasion of the ‘Mujib Year’ marking the Bangabandhu’s birth centenary. At the outset of the function, the premier witnessed a colourful cultural programme performed by the children. State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Fazilatun Nessa Indira and Representative of UNICEF Bangladesh Veera Mendonca addressed the function while Bangladesh Shishu Academy Chairman Lucky Enam gave a welcome address. Nabid Rahman Turjyo and Hridika Noor Siddique, trainees of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, spoke on the occasion on behalf of the children. The Prime Minister called upon the guardians to take their children to nearby parks and allow them to play in the sun for at least one hour, considered very important for the growth of their mental and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic. “We all have to maintain their health hygiene and safety,” she added. The Prime Minister, however, requested all to follow the health guidelines. In this connection, she said, “Children are passing miserable days as the schools are closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.”This is very much painful for them. What will they do sitting at homes? The children of joint families are well in comparison to the children of single families as the former can play with other children of their families.” The Prime Minister said her government has aired recorded lessons for the students on the Sangsad TV and arranged classes online as the academic life of the children could not be hampered. “We have taken measures on a large scale to hold classes online as the study of the students keeps running. We are using technology to pursue the move and we will urge the guardians to take special initiatives to this end,” she added. Referring to Bangabandhu’s advice to the children to read attentively and be worthy citizens of the country, she said, “Children have to pay attention to their studies as no contribution could be made for the country without education.” The premier also stressed the need for making arrangements of sports and cultural activities for the children alongside studies to make them worthy citizens. She said that her government has been building mini stadiums at every upazila across the country as everyone including the children could play. The government is also building an academy for the special children to enable them to take training. The premier appreciated the special children as they have earned gold medals from the Special Olympic. In this connection, she said, “There may be some problems in leading life and all will have to move forward resolving those.” The Prime Minister said her government has been untiringly working to ensure child rights including proper education, healthcare services following the footsteps of the country’s founding president Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as he had formulated the ‘Children Act’ in the country in 1974 to ensure children’s rights. He (Bangabandhu) also included child rights in the country’s constitution, she added. She said that the Father of the Nation made primary education free for all and established a 10-bed hospital at every union to ensure education and healthcare services for all. Spelling out various measures including distribution of free textbooks, stipends and different kinds of incentives and vaccination taken by the ruling Awami League government to ensure health, education, recreation and welfare of the children, the premier said the government has formulated the National Child Policy 2011, the National Child Labour Elimination Policy-2010 and Children Act-2013. As many as 1.33 crore students of primary schools are getting stipends through mobile phones of their mothers from the government, she said. “We didn’t stop sending the stipends even during the pandemic,” she added. The Prime Minister reiterated her vow to go ahead with the ideals of the Father of the Nation who dreamt for a hunger and poverty free country as children of present time would turn the dream of Bangabandhu into a reality. Source: BSS AH