he UN Committee on the Rights of the Child will today begin its examination of the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in Bangladesh. In its alternative country report entitled "Violence against Girls in Bangladesh," which has been submitted to the Committee on the Rights of the Child, the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) expresses its grave concern at reports of violence against girls at the hands of both private individuals and state officials. OMCT also submitted an alternative report on juvenile justice to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. Early marriage is common in Bangladesh, with half of women being married before they are 18 although legally a girl cannot be married before this age. This practice makes girls particularly vulnerable to domestic violence, which is reportedly widespread. Girls are also especially vulnerable to dowry related violence in Bangladesh. Despite a law prohibiting the payment of dowry, this practice continues and the consequences are severe. ... Girls in Bangladesh are also reportedly victims of rape in large numbers, including by supporters of the BNP, the government in power. There are exceedingly difficult obstacles to overcome in reporting a case of rape, including the requirement of an eyewitness to the crime. Politically motivated rapes of ethnic minority girls and women often go unpunished and there is a lack of access to redress and reparation. In relation with the juvenile justice system, OMCT vividly disapproves of the setting of a child's criminal responsibility at 7 years. In addition, Bangladeshi legislation provides police with extensive powers of arrest, which have led to regular abuses. Grounds of arrest include "vagrancy", "uncontrollable behaviour" and being "victim of crime." The latter particularly affects girls who suffer secondary victimisation by the justice system. For more information, contact: World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) 8 rue du Vieux-Billard, Case postale 21, CH-1211 Geneve 8, Switzerland Tel: 0041 22 809 49 39; Fax: 0041 22 809 49 29 E-mail: omct@omct.org; Website: http://www.omct.org Visit: http://www.crin.org/resources/infoDetail.asp?ID=3709