by Sumon Corraya

The girl, an ethnic Garo, is recuperating in hospital. Her rapist is Al-Amin, a Muslim. In view of the situation, a student association held a rally to demand protection and justice.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – Hundreds of people gathered yesterday in Dhaka to demand the arrest and exemplary punishment of Al-Amin, a young Muslim who raped a 12-year-old Christian girl.

The victim was attacked on Tuesday as she was making her way home alone. Both of her parents were away at work. Now the girl is in hospital.

Although the rapist’s identity is known and the victim’s parents have filed a complaint, police have not yet arrested him.

The victim belongs to the Garo tribal ethnic group in Bangladesh, which is predominantly Christian.

Her family is originally from the diocese of Mymensingh, but moved to the capital for work.

Demonstrators gathered in front of the National Press Club in Dhaka at the initiative of Bangladesh Garo Chatro Sanghton Dhaka Metro Politan Branch, a Garo student organisation, and other human rights groups.

"Since we are a minority, we have been abandoned by the government and local authorities. This is why we are often victims of abuse,” said Pappu Piter God, a Christian who heads the association.

“If criminals were prosecuted and punished, the number of attacks on minorities would decrease."

Last May, another ethnic Garo female, a 21-year-old Catholic student, was gangraped.

• bangladesh
• rape
• garo
• ethnic
• tribal
• protests