[4 October, 2020] In delivering the verdict in a sexual harassment case filed by a college student, ChiefJudicial Magistrate of the District Judge Court Md. Ziaur Rahman has used a symbolic name of the justice-seeker instead of her real name in a judgment on 28 September. This has been a new exemplary decision. Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) welcomes and applauds this timely and important initiative by the chief Judicial Magistrate. Such an initiative will play a strong role to ensure women’s personal and social security, strengthen the justice system and establish human rights for them.

The Chief Judicial Magistrate issued this verdict in a case that was filed by a college student against possession and distribution of her private photos where he used the name “Kolpo” in referring to her while delivering the verdict. It should be noted that this has been a novel initiative in Bangladesh’s judicial system. For a long time, human rights activists have been demanding that during the investigation and trial process of such cases, a woman’s real name should be kept private. This verdict is undoubtedly a massive step in that direction.

In Bangladesh, women and girls who are subjected to sexual violence and/or harassment continue to be blamed, directly or indirectly, for the violence. Whether they receive justice or not from the legal system, they face numerous social obstacles and harassment throughout their lives due to which it becomes impossible for them to live a peaceful and normal life in society. To escape this psychological violence, many end up taking their own lives. On the other hand, due to the social stigma and victim-blaming, many women and their families are reluctant to seek help from the justice system in the first place. In this context, the verdict is undoubtedly a milestone in our struggle to ensure the rights and dignity of women in this country. ASK hopes that this verdict will not remain an isolated example, but will become common practice in all such cases. ASK applauds the Chief Judicial Magistrate Md. ZiaurRahman for setting this example through this historical judgment.

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