The Alarming State of Child Safety in Bangladesh: Nearly 16,000 Children Reported Missing in Seven Months
A Human Rights Report and Recommendations to the Government
The safety and security of children in Bangladesh have become a matter of serious national concern. According to information from the Police Headquarters, a total of 15,917 children were reported missing across the country between January and July 2026. During these seven months, families filed General Diaries at different police stations regarding the disappearance of their children. This alarming figure presents a deeply disturbing picture of child safety in Bangladesh, indicating that, on average, more than 75 children were reported missing every day during this period.
While some of these missing children have reportedly been found or returned to their families, the whereabouts of many others remain unknown. Behind every missing child is a family living with uncertainty, fear, and emotional distress. The disappearance of a child should never be treated merely as a statistical issue or an ordinary missing-person case. Every such incident represents a serious threat to the fundamental rights, safety, dignity, and future of a child.
According to the police statistics provided, 1,768 children went missing in January, followed by 1,392 in February and 1,708 in March. The number increased significantly in April, when 2,660 children were reported missing. In May, the figure was reported as 256, while June recorded the highest number, with 3,163 children reported missing. In July, the number was reported as 311. The available data identifies June as the month with the highest number of reported missing children.
The scale of these incidents demands immediate attention from the Government, law enforcement agencies, human rights organizations, civil society, educational institutions, and the general public. At the same time, the consistency and accuracy of the month-wise statistics should be carefully reviewed and clarified by the relevant authorities to ensure that national policy and law-enforcement responses are based on complete and reliable data.
Human rights activists have repeatedly emphasized that the first few hours after a child goes missing are critically important. A prompt response during this period can significantly increase the possibility of locating and safely recovering the child. Immediate action can help law enforcement agencies collect CCTV footage, identify witnesses, trace possible transportation routes, alert neighbouring police stations, and prevent a child from being moved to another district or across an international border.
However, there are serious concerns that in many cases the initial response of law enforcement authorities is delayed. Families have alleged that investigations and rescue operations are sometimes not initiated with the urgency required in cases involving missing children. Any delay during the critical early hours can result in the loss of valuable opportunities to locate the child. For this reason, every report of a missing child must be treated as an emergency requiring immediate and professional action.
According to crime experts and human rights activists, several factors may be contributing to the large number of missing children in Bangladesh. These include organised trafficking networks, kidnapping for ransom, the use of children in forced begging and other criminal activities, family disputes, personal conflicts, and other forms of organised crime.
Professor Touhidul Haque of the University of Dhaka, a crime expert, has observed that the spread of drugs and the slow pace of justice can play an important role in the wider environment that allows criminal activities to flourish. According to his assessment, children may fall into the hands of organised trafficking networks and other criminal groups.
Child trafficking remains one of the most serious concerns. Vulnerable children may become targets of criminal networks seeking financial profit. Poverty, social vulnerability, weak monitoring in certain areas, and the activities of organised criminal groups can create circumstances in which children face greater risks of exploitation and disappearance.
There are also concerns that some children may be abducted and exploited for forced begging or other criminal purposes. Criminal groups may take advantage of the vulnerability and helplessness of children for financial gain. Such exploitation represents a direct violation of the rights and dignity of children and requires strong action from the state.
Kidnapping for ransom is another possible reason behind child disappearances. Criminals may target children in an attempt to pressure families and obtain money. In such situations, the speed and effectiveness of law enforcement action become extremely important. The longer a child remains missing, the more difficult it may become to ensure a safe recovery.
Family disputes, previous enmity, personal revenge, and conflicts between individuals may also be associated with some incidents involving missing or abducted children. In certain cases, children may become victims of disputes among adults or may be used to intimidate, harass, or falsely implicate others. Children must never become victims of conflicts created by adults.
There are also allegations that newborn babies and very young children are sometimes stolen for illegal purposes, including being sold to childless couples. Hospitals, clinics, crowded public places, and other locations where young children may be particularly vulnerable require stronger security and monitoring systems.
The overall situation also raises broader concerns regarding social disorder, organised crime, drug-related criminal activities, weaknesses in law enforcement, and delays in the justice system. Children are among the most vulnerable members of society. When crime and insecurity increase, children often become easy targets because they are less capable of protecting themselves and are dependent on adults and institutions for their safety.
The Government of Bangladesh has a constitutional and moral responsibility to protect children and ensure their security. The protection of children is not only a law-enforcement responsibility; it is also a fundamental human rights obligation. Every child has the right to live safely, to be protected from exploitation and violence, and to grow up in an environment where his or her dignity and security are respected.
In view of the alarming situation, urgent and coordinated action is necessary. The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), from a human rights perspective, believes that the Government should strengthen the national response to missing children through a comprehensive and effective protection mechanism.
First, Bangladesh should establish a rapid national response system for missing children. Once a child is reported missing, relevant law enforcement agencies, local authorities, border security forces, transportation authorities, and child protection institutions should immediately receive the necessary information. A central digital database containing information about missing children could significantly improve coordination and speed up rescue efforts.
Second, police stations should be instructed to receive and record reports concerning missing children without unnecessary delay. Every such report should immediately trigger an appropriate search and investigation process. Law enforcement agencies should receive specialised training on child protection, child trafficking, missing-child investigations, and the use of modern technology in search operations.
Third, the Government should strengthen its action against organised trafficking and kidnapping networks. Identifying and dismantling criminal groups should become a major priority rather than focusing only on individual cases after children have already disappeared. Stronger intelligence gathering, improved coordination between agencies, and effective monitoring of vulnerable areas are essential.
Fourth, the Government should establish a reliable and transparent national database on missing and recovered children. Accurate statistics are essential for understanding the scale of the crisis and developing effective policies. Regular publication of verified information would also help policymakers, researchers, human rights organizations, and the public understand the changing nature of the problem.
Public awareness must also play an important role in preventing child disappearances. Parents, guardians, teachers, and children should receive education about basic safety measures and the risks posed by trafficking and organised criminal networks. Schools and madrasas can play an important role in building awareness and teaching children how to seek help when they feel unsafe or become separated from their families.
At the same time, the justice system must ensure accountability for those involved in child kidnapping, trafficking, and exploitation. Criminal networks can become more confident when investigations remain incomplete or justice is delayed. Effective investigation and timely prosecution are therefore essential not only for justice but also for preventing future crimes.
The reported disappearance of 15,917 children within seven months should serve as a serious warning for Bangladesh. Even if some children have subsequently been found, every child whose whereabouts remain unknown represents an urgent humanitarian and human rights concern. The country cannot afford to treat this issue as an ordinary law-and-order problem.
Behind every number is a child. Behind every missing child is a family waiting for answers.
Bangladesh must therefore adopt a stronger, faster, and more coordinated national approach to child protection. The first hours after a child goes missing must be treated as crucial. Law enforcement agencies must act immediately, government institutions must coordinate effectively, criminal networks must be confronted decisively, and accurate national data must be maintained.
Protecting children is one of the most fundamental responsibilities of a civilized society and a responsible state. Every possible effort must be made to prevent children from disappearing, to locate those who are missing, and to ensure that every child can grow up in safety and dignity.
The situation demands immediate action. A quick and effective response today may save a child, reunite a family, and prevent another young life from becoming a victim of organised crime and social insecurity.
Every missing child deserves to be found. Every child deserves protection.
Hasan Hamid
ISHR National Associate & Country Representative in Bangladesh
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