Under the previous government of the Bangladesh Nationalist...

Under the previous government of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), increasing efforts were made to protect human rights. The current administration is sensitive to international opinion regarding human rights issues. At the end of 1999 legislation to establish a National Human Rights Commission had been submitted to the cabinet for approval. Women remain in a subordinate position in society. One of the main problem is acid attacks on women. From 47 incidents reported to the police in 1996, the number of acid attacks on women shot up to 230 in 1999. According to a survey by a local human rights group, there were 27 such attacks on women in May 2000. However, rights groups said the reported incidents account for a small fraction of the attacks actually taking place. "What is needed is strict and prompt application of the law so that the offenders cannot escape punishment. Police officials found hobnobbing with the criminals should also be dealt with severely," says Salma Ali, Executive Director of theBangladesh National Women Lawyers Association. According to Ali, the law should also make attackers pay the full cost of medical treatment for their victims. A male lawyer, Abu Ahmed of the Dhaka Bar Association strongly advocates summary trial for the crime.