Hundreds of children accused of committing largely petty crimes are being released in Bangladesh in a bid to avoid the spread of coronavirus in overcrowded detention centres.

Nearly 400 children have been given bail in recent weeks and over 300 of them have already been reunited with their families, Natalie McCauley, head of child protection at UNICEF in Bangladesh said, reported AP.

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She said that the decision was taken after a number of health experts warned of a surge in infections in children living in the detention centres due to overcrowding and unhygienic conditions.&nbsp;

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The judicial system in Bangladesh is such that cases stretch for years to conclude and according to UNICEF nearly 23,000 cases involving children under 18 years of age are pending in the courts across the country.&nbsp;

Saifur Rahman, a special officer of the Supreme Court and additional district judge who is associated with the release program said that this program was important as with scarce staff and utilities in detention centres, it was very difficult to curb the risk of COVID-19 infection. &nbsp;

The coronavirus cases in South Asian countries are rising and Bangladesh is also seeing a similar trend, with the latest figures suggesting 60,391 cases and 811 deaths. Public health officials say that the actual number of infections could be much higher in Bangladesh.&nbsp;

Hundreds of children accused of committing largely petty crimes are being released in Bangladesh in a bid to avoid the spread of coronavirus in overcrowded detention centres.

Hundreds of children accused of committing largely petty crimes are being released in Bangladesh in a bid to avoid the spread of coronavirus in overcrowded detention centres. Nearly 400 children have been given bail in recent weeks and over 300 of them have already been reunited with their families, Natalie McCauley, head of child protection at UNICEF in Bangladesh said, reported AP. Also read | Bangladeshi youth who planned to marry Karachi woman held at Attari She said that the decision was taken after a number of health experts warned of a surge in infections in children living in the detention centres due to overcrowding and unhygienic conditions. Also read | As Bangladesh lifts lockdown, record rise in coronavirus infections, deaths seen The judicial system in Bangladesh is such that cases stretch for years to conclude and according to UNICEF nearly 23,000 cases involving children under 18 years of age are pending in the courts across the country. Saifur Rahman, a special officer of the Supreme Court and additional district judge who is associated with the release program said that this program was important as with scarce staff and utilities in detention centres, it was very difficult to curb the risk of COVID-19 infection. The coronavirus cases in South Asian countries are rising and Bangladesh is also seeing a similar trend, with the latest figures suggesting 60,391 cases and 811 deaths. Public health officials say that the actual number of infections could be much higher in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh releasing children in detention centres to avoid coronavirus cases surge

Defying the ban on mass gathering during the lockdown imposed due to novel coronavirus outbreak, tens of thousands in Bangladesh attended the funeral prayer of Muslim cleric Maulana Zubair Ansari in eastern Bangladesh.

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Reports claim close to 50,000 mourners gathered in the Rahmania Bertala madrasa in Brahmanbaria district, raising health concerns in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Local administration and police failed to control the mass gathering despite the government-mandated lockdown.&nbsp;

Bangladesh has imposed a lockdown and banned large gatherings. They have also advised people to remain indoors and come out only when it is absolutely necessary. However, the social distancing measures were completely violated by the mourners.&nbsp;

According to the latest figures, more than 2,144 people have reported coronavirus positive in the country and 84 have died due to the pandemic.&nbsp;

Defying the ban on mass gathering during the lockdown imposed due to novel coronavirus outbreak, tens of thousands in Bangladesh attended the funeral prayer of Muslim cleric Maulana Zubair Ansari in eastern Bangladesh.

Defying the ban on mass gathering during the lockdown imposed due to novel coronavirus outbreak, tens of thousands in Bangladesh attended the funeral prayer of Muslim cleric Maulana Zubair Ansari in eastern Bangladesh. Also read | Nearly 400 Rohingya rescued by Bangladesh coast guard from boat; over 30 dead Reports claim close to 50,000 mourners gathered in the Rahmania Bertala madrasa in Brahmanbaria district, raising health concerns in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. Local administration and police failed to control the mass gathering despite the government-mandated lockdown. Bangladesh has imposed a lockdown and banned large gatherings. They have also advised people to remain indoors and come out only when it is absolutely necessary. However, the social distancing measures were completely violated by the mourners. According to the latest figures, more than 2,144 people have reported coronavirus positive in the country and 84 have died due to the pandemic.

Tens of thousands mourners gather after cleric died in Bangladesh

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Bangladesh releasing children in detention centres to avoid coronavirus cases surge

Tens of thousands mourners gather after cleric died in Bangladesh