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BANGLADESH: Acid attacks continue despite new laws

05 Jan 2009 10:20:58 GMT
Source: IRIN

DHAKA, 5 January 2009 (IRIN) - Acid attacks against women and girls are continuing despite legal campaigns to halt their spread.

Over 2,600 cases have been reported since 1999, according to the Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) of Bangladesh [see: http://www.acidsurvivors.org/]. Almost all the attacks have been on women or girls. Many of the victims are under 18, says ASF, which has been working to eliminate acid violence for almost a decade.

The main reason for the violence is dowries, refusal of love proposals, or land disputes, ASF said. Bent on revenge, perpetrators throw acid into their victims' faces in an effort to severely disfigure them, often with horrifying results.

Nitric or sulphuric acid has a catastrophic effect on human flesh, ASF said, resulting in skin tissue melting, often exposing the bones below the flesh, and even dissolving bone.

Scarred for life and badly burned, many survivors also lose their sight in one or both eyes. Others are so psychologically traumatised they never recover.

Despite the viciousness of these attacks, many go unreported: "Many incidents are never reported. [The] media covers only those cases that go to court," Rokhsana Akhter, an activist told IRIN in Dhaka, adding: "The poor and powerless do not go to court. Their cases remain unreported."

Easy to buy

Despite the public outcry, purchasing acid is still not difficult.

In Dhaka, sulphuric acid can be readily purchased for just 44 US cents a pound (roughly half a litre), with nitric acid slightly higher at 59 cents a pound.

"You just ask the traders for acid. They will provide you with the required quantity," Gopal Das, a goldsmith in the city's Tantibazar area, said.

Gopal uses nitric acid to melt gold. Since he only needs a very small amount he has never bothered to obtain the now mandatory license.

Like Gopal, many jewellers, especially the small ones, collect and use acid, making effective monitoring of this deadly material all but impossible.

"The last time a mobile court raided this area was March 2008," said Kazi Abdul Hamid, a shop owner selling chemicals in Goal Nagar, an acid wholesale market in Dhaka.

"We should have a distinct monitoring team to control acid use and sale; the fact is that we do not have one. Normally a mobile court visits specific shops and issues or renews their licenses. I can't tell you when the last visit took place," said Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Mohammad Zillar Rahman whose office is responsible for controlling and monitoring the acid trade in the city.

"Enforcement remains weak. Perpetrators are still able to procure acid on the open market," said ASF executive director Monira Rahman.

Legal efforts

Efforts to combat the crime have had limited success.

In 2002, parliament enacted two laws against acid violence: Under the Acid Control Act of 2002, the unlicensed production, import, transport, storage, sale, and use of acid can result in a prison term of 3-10 years. Those who possess chemicals and equipment for the unlicensed production of acid can get the same prison term.

One doctor sounded an optimistic note: "Since then, acid violence has been showing a rapid decline," said Shamanta Lal Sen of the burns and plastic surgery unit at Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).

According to ASF, 221 and 192 people were subjected to acid violence in 2006 and 2007 respectively. In 2000 and 2001 their number was 234 and 349 respectively.

Combating the crime

A number of organisations are working to combat the crime, or mitigate its effects.

ASF and the DMCH burns unit are working to support victims of acid attacks. BRAC (Building Resources Across Communities), [see: http://www.brac.net/], Bangladesh's largest NGO, offers survivors logistical assistance with access to health facilities. Legal aid organisations, such as Ain o Salish Kendra [see: http://www.askbd.org/web/index.php], and the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers' Association [see: http://www.bnwla.org.bd/] provide legal aid to acid victims. Prothom Alo, a popular daily, raises funds for the treatment and rehabilitation of victims, as well as campaigning against the crime.

According to rights groups, apart from Bangladesh, acid attacks are common in a number of Asian countries, including Pakistan, India, Afghanistan and Cambodia.

as/ds/cb

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