Morningsun Online //

The American Bar Association Center for Human Rights has called on the interim government to repeal or reform Bangladesh’s Cyber ​​Security Act (CSA) as ‘flawed’. At the same time, the organization recommended withdrawal of all cases of CSA, DSA and ICT Act against human rights activists.

This call was made in the report entitled ‘Bangladesh: Flood Cybercrime Regime Requires Repeal or Reform, September, 2024’ published on the website of the American Bar last Tuesday.

It is said that during the Awami League government, many people including human rights activists, journalists, students were arrested in the cases of Cyber ​​Security Act, Digital Security Act and Information and Communication Technology Act. From October 2018 to last June, 1,436 cases have been filed and 5,287 people have been charged under the Digital Security Act alone.

Quoting the Dhaka-based research institute CGS, the report said that after the implementation of the Cyber ​​Security Act in 2023, at least 62 cases and 372 people have been charged. Local and international civil society has expressed concern over the violation of fundamental human rights through flawed laws.

The American Bar Association cites some victims of these laws, including author and columnist Mushtaq Ahmed, who died in February 2021 after more than nine months in prison. Mushtaq was denied bail at least six times. Authorities at the time claimed he died of a heart attack.

According to the report, the current cyber security law is not compatible with the constitution and international law. The use of the law against human rights activists poses a major threat to basic human rights practices in Bangladesh. The interim government has indicated that it is in favor of protecting human rights. As a result they can accept some recommendations. Cyber ​​security laws can be repealed. Alternatively, the government can bring substantive amendments to sections 21, 25, 28, 29 and 31 of the Act.