HC releases full text of order to stop disclosing identities of rape victims

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DHAKA, March 25, 2021 (BSS) – The High Court (HC) today released full text of its March 8 order that directed authorities concerned to take necessary steps to stop publishing and broadcasting the identities and photos of rape and other sexual assault victims on social networking sites and media.

The High Court division bench of comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice S M Moniruzzaman had passed the order, asking information, home secretaries, Chairman of Bangladesh Press Council and Chairman of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to file separate reports on steps taken to comply with the order.

The court had also issued a rule, asking the respondents to explain as to why their inaction in stopping publishing and broadcasting the identities and photos of rape and other sexual assault victims, shall not be declared illegal.

The court passed the order after holding hearing on a writ filed and moved by Barrister Mahfuzur Rahman Milon for Justice Watch Foundation. Deputy Attorney General Samarendra Nath Biswas argued for the state.

The petitioner had filed the writ petition on January 19.