BANGLADESH: CABINET APPROVES INCLUSION OF DEATH PENALTY IN ANTI-RAPE LAW

The cabinet on 12 October 2020 gave its approval for the amendment of the Prevention of Women & Children Repression Act-2000 to include death penalty for rapists.
The decision came at the weekly cabinet meeting, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
Briefing newsmen after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said that President Abdul Hamid may soon declare an ordinance regarding the amendment as the parliament is not in session now.
Earlier on 8 October, Law Minister Anisul Huq said that his ministry has made a proposal for approving death penalty as the highest punishment for rape.
“We’re proposing raising the highest punishment for rape to death penalty instead of life imprisonment,” the minister said, noting that there will be some minor changes too.
A series of rape incidents rocked Bangladesh in recent weeks, triggering countrywide protests. 
According to Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), between January and September this year, nearly 1,000 rape cases were reported, including 208 gang rapes.