When the new cyber protection law comes into effect, a majority of the cases filed under its predecessors -- Digital Security Act and Cyber Security Act -- will automatically be dismissed.
Scope for return of repressive practices must be prevented
Some provisions of the DSA (and the CSA) have been included in the new Cyber Protection Ordinance.
How political cartoons in Bangladesh overcame censorship post July uprising.
The "Mohanagar" director shared a heartfelt tribute, expressing his deep respect for Mushtaq Ahmed and lamenting that he couldn't show the fearless writer a liberated nation, free from dictatorship.
The issue of religious tolerance have become a matter of great concern as we see a global rise in narrow-mindedness, prejudice and hatred.
Would we, in today's Bangladesh, have subjected Quamrul Hassan to imprisonment for employing his art to critique the current political culture?
With each new term of the ruling regime, and each new provision or law, we have learnt a bit more of self-censorship.
The government has formed the new 'National Cyber Security Agency' which will replace the previous 'Digital Security Agency', according to an official gazette published on November 17, 2023. The Cyber Security Agency will be responsible for monitoring online communication and countering cyber crimes.
DSA's replacement, named the Cyber Security Act (CSA), is already another disappointment.
The DSA is being renamed to Cyber Security Act (CSA) with some cosmetic changes and hefty fines.
People will get 14 days to give their opinion on the proposed cyber security law, Law Minister Anisul Huq said
Not only was the Digital Security Act not repealed, the proposed changes in the law were not in line with the recommendations made by Bangladesh civil society groups and the United Nations
There will be jail term of three or six months if fine not paid, the law minister said
The government has decided to "transform" and "modernise" the Digital Security Act and change its name to Cyber Security Act, in which sections of the existing law will be amended
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recommended over 11 months ago that the government scraps two sections and amends eight others of the Digital Security Act but the government said it will not scrap them and is reviewing the sections.
And it is being amended in the same way.
Media plurality, though essential in all democracies, has sadly become a tool for drowning out independent and critical voices.
The government must either repeal the Digital Security Act-2018 or amend it in such a manner that it does not hamper free media or freedom of expression.
