Sanjay Wijesekera, UNICEF's South Asia Regional Director, confirmed today that at least 32 children were killed during last month's unrest related to student protests in Bangladesh. Many others were injured or detained.

In a statement,Wijesekera urged authorities to prioritize the reopening of schools, restarting learning, and providing a safe environment for children to recover from the violence.

After spending a week in Bangladesh, Unicef's South Asia Regional Director Sanjay Wijesekera expressed deep concern about the impact of recent violence and unrest on the nation's children.

Confirming the tragic deaths of at least 32 children and the injury and detention of many more during July's protests,Wijesekera conveyed Unicef's condemnation of all violence and offered condolences to grieving families.

He emphasized the universal responsibility to protect children and called for an end to the detention of children in all forms, reminding authorities of Bangladesh's commitment to international human rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Wijesekera highlighted Unicef's efforts to support affected children, citing his visit to the Unicef-supported Child Helpline 1098, which has experienced a significant increase in demand since the violence began.

He commended the work of trained counselors in providing support and services to children in need.

Unicef continues to support children affected by the recent violence and curfews, with 1,100 social workers providing psychosocial help for those experiencing mental health challenges.

To promote recovery and safety, Unicef stresses the importance of reopening all schools, restarting learning, and reconnecting children with their peers and teachers.

Over 30 million students have already missed 10 days of school,exacerbating previous closures due to heat, cyclones, and floods.

While welcoming the reopening of primary schools in many areas, Unicef notes that around 15.5 million students remain unable to resume learning, potentially jeopardizing their future, particularly for girls.

In meetings with government officials, partners, and youth organizations, Wijesekera emphasized the rights of children to freedom of association and peaceful assembly, as recognized by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

He concluded by reaffirming that "children and young people are the future of Bangladesh" and should be protected when they speak up.

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