"The judiciary is not sensitive to rape cases and victims. Our judges consider rape like theft, robbery and other crimes," said the attorney general.

He was speaking as special guest at the concluding session of a workshop on 'Role of government and people in preventing rape' organised by Bangladesh Society for Enforcing of Human Rights (BSEHR). Pointing to flaws in probe in rape cases, the attorney general said police should be more victim-friendly.

"Unlike other criminal activities, rape is a more violent crime, as it affects not only the victim but also the whole society," he observed.

"If the property of a person is robbed of or stolen, they could overcome the loss. But if a woman is raped, a crime is committed that destroys her entire life," he added.

On medical test of rape victims, he said, "I can't imagine how doctors could submit false medical reports."

He also emphasised that the local government and community leaders have to work together to prevent rape.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed told the session that the government has strengthened the Women and Children Repression Act by bringing a few amendments.

"Only stringent laws can't stop rape, rather proper investigation and implementation of effective laws are vital," Moudud said.

The minister said police force needs to be upgraded with proper equipment to deal with any sort of investigation.

On shortage of police personnel, Moudud said the number of police force in New York is 52,000, while Bangladesh has only 113,000 across the country.

The minister regretted that the application of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act is mostly for harassing opponents.

"The rate of conviction under the Act is less than five percent," Moudud observed.

BSEHR Executive Director Elina Khan presented a set of recommendations of the workshop. She said the government must ensure that rapists should not go unpunished.

Different ministries should work together to look after the rape victims so that they can live in the society with dignity, Elina said.

Presided over by BSEHR acting chairman Prof M Afsar Uddin, the session was also addressed by the organisation's Treasure Shirin Sheikh Moinuddin and Project Director Albert Prasad Basu.