'Not our blame, she needs protection': Unicef bashes rights violation, media coverage of minor going missing

Rana Flowers, the Unicef Representative in Bangladesh, has severely criticised the media coverage and rights violations in the incident of an 11-year-old girl going missing from the capital's Mohammadpur, her rescue.

"Children are not small adults, their brains, emotions, psycho-social and physical development are a work in progress. They are more vulnerable; their safety and well-being must be our highest priority as a society," she is quoted as saying in a statement published on Unicef's website today (10 February).

The statement reads that while children are exposed to a world of information, entertainment, and invaluable opportunities for learning and connection on social media platforms, they also face potential dangers.

"Such was the case recently, in Bangladesh, where an 11-year-old girl, went missing after being contacted on social media by an adult man. She was subsequently rescued far from home, in a district in North Bengal. The case has sparked deep concern across the country and has raised concerns regarding how this could happen, whether children are being properly guided and whether enough is being done to protect children," reads the statement.

While the specifics of this case remain unclear, how such cases are handled can make an enormous difference to the recovery, and the dignity of the victim. 

Flowers, in the statement, said the UNICEF commends the efforts of law enforcement in rescuing the child, but they also express "serious concern about certain aspects of the case and the handling of the situation, particularly regarding violations of child protection legislation and a lack of ethical reporting from some media".

"What happened in the course of this child's rescue is deeply disturbing," she states.

"Instead of being protected, shielded, and supported by police, she was questioned on camera about her situation, exposing her to further psychosocial damage.

"The Children Act 2013 clearly outlines how this case should have been handled. Section 54(1) mandates specific protocols for managing female children – requiring that they are interviewed sensitively by a female police officer, accompanied and supported by a trusted adult," notes the Unices official.

She mentioned that Section 91  of the act emphasises the role of Child Affairs Police Officers (CAPOs) in dealing with children in contact with the law. "Shockingly, the interview was taped, providing evidence that the law was not followed. But even more egregious, is the fact that the footage of the interview was then shared on social media with no effort to shield the identity of the child." 

Stating that at this point, ethical social media would remove the post immediately, she notes that instead, the video was picked up and displayed by the mainstream media – all of whom are acutely aware of the law that requires the identity of the girl and details of the case to be kept confidential.

"The media went on to share several videos and CCTV footage, and to my horror describing the adult male as her 'boyfriend' - in doing so reinforcing a dangerous and false narrative," Flowers says.

"Let us be absolutely clear. This child is a victim. She does not need our blame or scrutiny, she needs protection, privacy, and healing. She is an eleven-year-old child," Flowers says in a strong statement. 

She goes on to explain that an 11-year-old is not developmentally capable of making informed decisions about relationships with adults. "A child's brain, emotions, and judgment are still forming. No child is ready for an adult relationship. And no adult should ever exploit a child's trust, curiosity, or vulnerability."

Referring to the Children Act 2013, Flowers states that the Child Affairs Police Officers should be properly trained in working with children in all Police Stations and the establishment of child-sensitive courts.

This should apply to every child in contact with the law, she says.

On media role in such cases, the Unicef representative states that media plays a crucial role in protecting children. "Ethical reporting must prioritise the child's best interests, safeguarding their identity through anonymity, pseudonyms, voice disguises, and removing identifying details. Sharing information that could expose a child victim can cause lasting harm."

The statement urges authorities to review child protection protocols, uphold the Children Act 2013, and ensure justice while strengthening protective systems for every child.

"These laws exist for a reason. Because children need protection. Because children, no matter how mature they may appear, are not yet capable of navigating the complexities of adult relationships or the dangers of adult exploitation. When these laws are properly upheld, they create a society where every child is safe, valued, and given the chance to grow into adulthood without fear or harm," reads the statement.

"What she needs now is to heal. And healing is only possible when her right to privacy is respected—by the authorities, by the media, and by all of us.

"She was 11 – just a child. That should be all we need to know. Now, let's protect her," it concludes.