Reiterating that the Digital Security Act-2018 was not aimed at suppressing freedom of speech or freedom of press, Law Minister Anisul Huq has said that steps have been taken to address the problems in the law.
“Discussions are underway to resolve the problems of the Digital Security Act (DSA) and efforts are being made to listen to all the parties. The law is basically meant to fight cybercrime, we want to stay there. However, efforts are being made so that the law can be made better, the criticism that is being done can be removed,” he said.
Anisul Huq said this while briefing reporters following a meeting with representatives of civil society regarding different points of the Digital Security Act (DSA) at the conference room of the ministry on Tuesday (March 14).
The minister said, “Today, there was a discussion mainly on the Digital Security Act. They (civil society representatives) have presented arguments in the light of their proposal. We listened to their statements.”
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Secretary of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the ministry Md Moinul Kabir, Secretary Law and Justice Division Md Golam Sarwar, Secretary of ICT Division Md Shamsul Arefin and senior officials of the government were present at the meeting.
Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr Iftekharuzzaman, professor of Dhaka University’s International Relations dept Dr CR Abrar, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, academic activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin, rights activist Md Saimum Reza Talukder, Sharmin Khan, former director of National Data Center Tarique M Barkatullah, managing director of Start-Up Bangladesh Company Limited Md Sami Ahmed, A2I Policy Adviser Anir Chowdhury, Edge Project consultant Md Abdul Bari and BGD E-Gov Cirt senior technical specialist Tawhidur Rahman, were present at the meeting, among others, on behalf of the civil society.
The civil society members at the meeting pointed out their matter of concern, suggestions and demands to the ministers about the law.
The Law Minister and the State Minister for ICT Division are scheduled to hold another meeting at the same venue on the matter on March 30, where they will express their opinions on the much talked about law.
“We will take the final step in this after the meeting of March 30,” said Anisul Huq.
The law minister on different occasions said that the government is willing to accept logical suggestions of stakeholders on the Digital Security Act.
On March 6, he said the present government wants to hear all the logical suggestions and has no intention of gagging the country’s civil society.
“Government will listen to those who speak for the people. It would take the recommendation made at this function seriously and the door of discussion on the Digital Security Act is open for all,” he said on that day.
