Deputy speaker calls for accountability over child-protection law enforcement

Deputy Speaker Kayser Kamal has called for stronger accountability among officials responsible for enforcing laws intended to protect children, arguing that legislation alone cannot prevent abuse and exploitation.

He spoke on 4 October at a Dhaka dialogue on eliminating child labour, organised by Action for Social Development with the Child Labour Elimination Platform at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh complex.

Kamal said failures to implement existing protections should bring scrutiny of the officials responsible. He urged coordination between parliament, ministries, law-enforcement agencies, non-governmental organisations and civil society.

He said parliament could consider amending existing legislation or introducing new laws to protect children where necessary. He urged government bodies, civil society and private organisations to work together on enforcement and eliminating child labour.

His criticism of administrative shortcomings is an attributed assessment. The speech did not announce a new law, identify a completed disciplinary inquiry or establish that a particular official had been found responsible.

The discussion’s significance is its focus on implementation: whether institutions use their existing powers and responsibilities effectively, and whether vulnerable children can access help when those protections fail.