Violence Against Women: Death penalty is not the solution

Amnesty International yesterday criticised the Bangladesh government's decision to introduce death penalty as a punishment for rape, terming it a "regressive step".

In a statement published on its website, the international human rights body's South Asia researcher Sultan Mohammed Zakaria said, "This regressive step is a fig leaf that deflects attention from the lack of real action to address the appalling brutality faced by so many Bangladeshi women."

"Executions perpetuate violence, they don't prevent it. Instead of seeking vengeance, the authorities must focus on ensuring justice for the victims of sexual violence including through delivering the long-term changes that would stop this epidemic of violence and prevent it from recurring," Zakaria added.

Amnesty said perpetrators of rape must be prosecuted and the impunity for these horrific crimes must come to an end, but through fair proceedings and without resorting to death penalty.