We applaud the interim government’s move towards repealing the controversial Cyber Security Act. Dr Mohammad Yunus-led interim government on Thursday has decided to repeal the Cyber Security Act-2023 enacted by the ousted Awami League regime.
The council of advisers approved in principal the draft of the Cyber Security Act (Repeal) Ordinance - 2024. The fascist Awami League government transformed the Digital Security Act into the Cyber Security Act last year but its objectives were the same.
Its aim was to oppress the voices of people and dissident voices. We know how many people were harassed using the Digital Security Act. Many people were harassed using the act.
After the repeal of the Cyber Security Act, a new law must be formulated to ensure the safety of vulnerable groups including women and children, who use the cyber space, and to protect the financial institutions, including banks.
Earlier different political parties, professional bodies including journalists and Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services repeatedly urged the interim government to repeal the Cyber Security Act (CSA) 2023.
Cyber Security Act 2023 was
frequently used to target
journalists, human
rights activists
The act continues the repressive measures of the Digital Security Act 018 and Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act 2006, which are contrary to the country's constitution and pose a severe threat to human rights. The Cyber Security Act 2023 was frequently used to target journalists, human rights activists, and dissenting voices, despite legislators' repeated justifications for its enactment.
Recent events, such as the arrest of numerous individuals for criticising the quota system and charges against others for satirical posts, highlight the abuse of this law. The Cyber Security Act retains many of the provisions of the Digital Security Act, granting authorities excessive powers to search, arrest, and detain individuals without warrants. This law enables government control over online content and infringes on freedom of speech.
This law is often misused. The Cyber Security Act threatens freedom of expression and personal security in Bangladesh. To end the suppression of dissent and comply with international human rights standards, this law must be repealed immediately.
We call on the interim government to repeal the Cyber Security Act and urge the release of individuals detained under this law and the withdrawal of all charges against them. We also demand accountability for those responsible for misusing the law, from law enforcement officers to members of the judiciary. We stress the urgency of repealing the CSA and compensating the victims. The law has served only to harass citizens.
We are also demad immediate withdrawal of all cases filed under it as we think the ‘notorious law’ is the main obstruction to freedom of expression of the people of Bangladesh. The Awami League had taken advantage of this law to snatch the freedom of expression of opposition leaders, activists, journalists and general people and using this regressive law as a tool to prolong the ‘fascist regime’.
