The children gathered from different slums of the city to speak at a press conference organised by the Bangladesh Slum Dwellers Association yesterday.

The youngsters explained their daily living conditions, which include a total lack of consideration by the police during their many attacks on slum areas. Children are attacked and subjected to abusive language. Police also ransack the makeshift shelters of bamboo and polythene that serve as their simple homes. "We heard from our parents that the government introduced a new law to stop slum eviction but we have seen no evidence of its implementation," said Mitu living in Karal slum.

The children complained that the government brings large sums of money from abroad in the name of improving their plight although nothing ever seems to change. The government also proclaims its commitment to stopping child labour. However, they expressed their frustration mentioning that child labour is inevitable for them. They can not stop working since they need to bring in as much income for their family as possible.

The youthful participants also mentioned that some of them managed to go to school overcoming many obstacles only to find their makeshift schools destroyed during one of the many slum clearances. They asked for assistance from the government and civil society to maintain the two schools established by the Bangladesh Slum Dwellers Association in order to continue their education.

There are no playgrounds or other facilities for their recreation, the children complained. They are even deprived of proper health care when ill, they said.

"We, the slum children can not enter the programmes in the city where beautifully adorned children from privileged class sing and dance. They talk about child rights in those programmes as the government does. But we do not understand heavy words like 'Child rights', 'Education for all' or 'Food for education'. What we realise is that we lack food, housings, school facilities and playgrounds," said Jewel who resided in the recently evicted Agargaon slum.

Monjurul Ahsan Khan, Chief Advisor of the Bangladesh Slum Dwellers Association and Samad Azad, Advisor, Slum Dwellers Association and General Sectary of Gono Azadi League were present at the occasion. Slum leaders from different locations also contributed.