Berlin, September 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
At least 15,917 children were reported missing across Bangladesh between January and July 2026, according to Police Headquarters data cited by the Germany-based International Society for Human Rights (ISHR), which has raised serious concerns over child safety in the country.
The ISHR said families filed General Diaries at police stations following the disappearance of their children during the seven-month period. The figures amount to an average of more than 75 missing-child reports a day, it said.
“Behind every missing child is a family living with uncertainty, fear, and emotional distress,” the human rights organisation said, stressing that such cases should not be treated merely as routine missing-person complaints.
According to the police figures cited by ISHR, 1,768 children were reported missing in January, 1,392 in February and 1,708 in March. The number rose sharply to 2,660 in April. There were 256 cases in May, while June recorded the highest monthly figure at 3,163. A further 311 children were reported missing in July.
The rights body said families have alleged that investigations and rescue efforts are not always initiated with the urgency required in missing-child cases. It warned that delays during the initial hours can reduce the chances of locating a child and called for every such report to be treated as an emergency requiring immediate and professional intervention.
Citing crime experts and human rights activists in Bangladesh, ISHR said several factors could be contributing to the high number of cases. These include organised trafficking networks, kidnapping for ransom, forced begging, involvement of children in criminal activities, family disputes, personal conflicts and other forms of organised crime.
The organisation said the figures also point to wider concerns over social disorder, organised crime, drug-related criminal activity, weaknesses in law enforcement and delays in the justice system.
“Children are among the most vulnerable members of society,” ISHR said, noting that rising crime and insecurity can leave children particularly exposed because they depend on adults and institutions for protection.
The organisation stressed that child protection is not only a law-enforcement responsibility but also a fundamental human rights obligation. It said every child has the right to safety, protection from exploitation and violence, and an environment in which their dignity and security are respected.
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