Urges president not to give consent

TIB terms Digital Security Bill as black law

TIB terms Digital Security Bill as black law

Dhaka, Sep 26 (Just News): The Digital Security Bill 2018 might be considered useful for the government in the short term, but it could boomerang on the government in the long run, Transparency International Bangladesh said yesterday.

Terming the legislation a black law, the TIB urged the president not to give his consent to the bill and return it to parliament for review.

TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said the law would not only curb freedom of speech, but also restrict independent journalism and research.

Transparency International Bangladesh’s (TIB) arranged a human chain at Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) on on occasion of International Right to Know Day on September 26, 2018. Photo: Courtesy

He was speaking at a human chain programme at Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre (TSC) organised marking the International Right to Know Day.

Freedom of expression and right to information were the fundamental basic rights of the people, he said, adding that the Right to Information (RTI) Act was exceptional as it gave people the right to hold the government accountable.

“But at the same time, it is noticeable that the government took negative and frustrating initiatives.”

Iftekharuzzaman said the new law, recently passed by parliament, would rob the people of their basic human rights and be an obstacle in the way of flourishing democracy in the country.

Passing a law contradictory to the constitution and the spirit of Liberation War was not acceptable from a party which had led the war, he added.

The much-debated Digital Security Bill 2018 was passed by Jatiya Sangsad on September 19 with harsh provisions allowing police to frisk or arrest anyone without warrants.

Journalists and right activists have expressed worries over the new law, saying it was passed without addressing their concerns.

Iftekharuzzaman said the new law would create a sense of insecurity among the people.

Giving recognition to the Official Secrecy Act of the British colonial era under section 32 of the Digital Security Act was a backward-looking move, he said.

“The law will pose big threat and create a sense of insecurity among journalists, particularly among investigative journalists.”

The TIB executive director said the law would be an obstacle to media persons and NGO staff members who have been conducting researches on various works of the government and holding it accountable.

He said they were hopeful that the president would use his constitutional power and send the bill to parliament for review.

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(Justnews/ys/2350hr)