Digital Security Act

Digital Security Act is a digital security law in Bangladesh. It is a controversial law that has been described as draconian.[1] It was feared that the law could be use to suppress dissenters against the government.[2][3] The law has been used to sue and arrest journalists.[4]

History

Digital Security Act was adopted in October 2018.[5] The provision passed the Parliament of Bangladesh in September 2018. The act was controversial as it would allow police officers to detain people without a warrant. The act was opposed by members of the media, the opposition Jatiya Party, and human rights organizations.[6] The act was created using Section 57 of Information and Communication Technology Act, which was passed in 2006, as the model.[7] The act was protested by the Editors' Council.[8][9] The Daily Star has been critical of the application of the act, describing it as a gag on the free press.[10][11]

Cases
  • On 14 April 2020, Journalist Golam Sarwar Pintu, of Dainik Bangladesher Alo, was arrested under Digital Security Act.[12]
  • On 17 April 2020, Toufique Imrose Khalidi, editor of Bdnews24.com, and Mohiuddin Sarker, editor of Jagonews24.com, for publishing a report on the looting of relief materials in Thakurgaon District. The case was filled by Swechasebak League, the volunteer wing of Bangladesh Awami League, leader Mominul Islam Bhasani.[13]
  • On 29 April 2020, three journalists were sued in Narsingdi District under the act after publishing news report on an auto rickshaw driver who died after a confrontation with members of Bangladesh Police. The journalists worked for the local newspapers, Dainik Grameen Darpan and Narsingdi Pratidin.[14] The case was filled by officer-in-charge of Ghorashal Police Station, Johirul Alam.[15]
  • On 6 May 2020, 11 people were sued by the government of Bangladesh by Assistant Director, Abu Bakar Siddique, of unit 3 of Rapid Action Battalion. They included two journalist, one cartoonist, and one writer. The older brother of Xulhaz Mannan, Minhaj Mannan Emon, Asif Mohiuddin, and Tasneem Khalil.[16]
  • On 6 May 2020, Sub-inspector Motaleb of Rupganj police station in Narayanganj District filed a case against Momen Prodhan for sharing a picture mocking Tanvir Hasan Monir, Member of Parliament of Tangail-2 for harvesting unripe rice plants.[17]
  • On 8 May 2020, Journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol, who had disappeared, was "found" and charged under this act by Bangladesh Police.[18]

Reception

According to Article 19, the act violates human rights and threatens freedom of speech in Bangladesh.[5] According to Amnesty International the act places "dangerous restrictions on freedom of expression". It believed the act will be used against dissidents, similar to the way Information and Communication Technology Act was used to detains hundreds of people.[19] The act has been criticized by the United States as something that could be used to suppress free speech.[20] Bangladesh Nationalist Party has called for the act to be repealed.[21]

References
  1. "Digital Security Act 2018: young generation speaks". New Age. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  2. "Bangladesh Enacts New Law That Could Silence Dissenters". thediplomat.com. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  3. "Digital Security Act 2018 passed in JS | banglanews24.com". banglanews24.com. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  4. "Indiscriminate use of Digital Security Act against journalists". The Daily Star. 4 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  5. "Bangladesh: analysis of the Digital Security Act". ARTICLE 19. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  6. "Digital Security Bill passed". The Daily Star. 20 September 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  7. "How Section 57 morphed into Digital Security Act provisions". Dhaka Tribune. 10 August 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  8. "Bangladesh editors protest 'chilling' Digital Security Act". aljazeera.com. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  9. "Attack on press freedom intensifies in Bangladesh - UCA News". ucanews.com. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  10. "It's now a gag on the media, free speech". The Daily Star. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  11. "Editorial: Right to freedom of expression is in mortal danger". The Daily Star. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  12. "Digital Security Act: More journalists facing arrest, cases amid hard days of Covid-19 crisis". Dhaka Tribune. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  13. "Case against editors: ARTICLE 19 calls for immediate withdrawal". Dhaka Tribune. 22 April 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  14. "8 journalists held in Bangladesh in a week under Digital Security Act". New Age. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  15. "3 journalists in Narsingdi arrested under Digital Security Act". The Daily Star. 3 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  16. "Digital Security Act: 11 sued, two sent to jail". The Daily Star. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  17. "Man remanded for sharing Tangail MP's video harvesting unripe paddy". Dhaka Tribune. 6 May 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  18. Ahmed, Kaamil (8 May 2020). "Bangladeshi journalist is jailed after mysterious 53-day disappearance". The Guardian. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  19. "Bangladesh: New Digital Security Act imposes dangerous restrictions on freedom of expression". amnesty.org. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  20. "U.S. Ambassador Marcia Bernicat's Statement on Digital Security Act in Bangladesh". U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh. 30 September 2018. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  21. "Govt 'abusing' Digital Security Act to hide facts: BNP". unb.com.bd. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
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