Dhaka, Mar 26 (Just News): The European Union and 10 countries including the US and the UK have expressed concern over several sections of the proposed Digital Security Act-2018 as what they said is it “would suppress freedom of expression in multiple ways”.
Ambassadors of the countries and the EU or their representatives expressed their worry at a meeting with Law Minister Anisul Huq at his secretariat office in Dhaka yesterday.
The minister later said he assured them of considering their concern, and if necessary, changes or clarification would be made in the proposed act.
Already, local rights activists and journalists have raised voice against the draft act, saying they were frightened over the law.
The cabinet on January 29 approved the draft act, which has to be passed in parliament.
The diplomats came up with concerns specifically over section 21, 25 and 28 of the draft law, which will deal with defamation, hurting religious sentiments or negative propaganda against the Liberation War or the Father of the Nation, using digital devices.
The 10 counties are Germany, Sweden, the US, Denmark, France, Canada, the UK, Spain, Norway and Switzerland. However, representatives of eight embassies or high commissions were present at yesterday's meeting, sources said.
After the meeting for over an hour, German Ambassador Thomas Prinz said, “We came here today [Sunday] as representatives of 11 embassies and high commissions [in Dhaka] to express our concern over the new draft of Digital Security Act as we know at this moment.
“The new act would suppress freedom of expression in multiple ways. We are particularly alarmed about the threat of severe punishment for merely expressing a belief or opinion, about the imprecise terminology which could lead to misinterpretation of law, non-availability of bail for certain offences and the empowerment of the security agency to detain a citizen without warrant by court.
“These were the main complaints we have discussed with the minister and we are very grateful that at the end of the discussion, the minister agreed to have a look in to these stipulations again, go back to the responsible ICT [Information Communication and Technology] ministry and then discuss with us again.”
The freedom of expression in this country will prevail, he hoped. “But we also see the necessity that digital security has to be established, cyber crimes have to be prevented.”
Later, the law minister told the reporters that concerns have been raised regarding sections 21, 25 and 28.
“These were the sections that we talked about … I have seriously listened to the points raised and I would take it back to the ministry of ICT and we will discuss this.”
Although they did not raise concern over section 32, it was discussed in the meeting, the minister said.
If necessary, the minister said, changes or clarification would be made, and he will again discuss the matter with the diplomats within a “reasonable time.”
No other issue was discussed at the meeting, he added.
Mohammad Shahidul Haque, senior secretary of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, and ASSM Zahirul Haque, secretary of Law and Justice Division, were also present at the meeting.
Section 21 says anyone spreads negative propaganda against the Liberation War or the Father of the Nation, using digital devices or instigates such acts, will risk being sentenced up to 14 years' jail or a fine of up to Tk 1 crore or both.
He or she will face up to life imprisonment or Tk 3 crore fine or both for committing the offence for the second time, it said.
Section 25 of the proposed law says a person may face up to three years in jail or Tk 3 lakh fine or both if he or she is found to have deliberately published or broadcast in the website or electronic form -- something which is attacking or intimidating or which can make someone dishonest or disgruntled; if he or she knowingly publishes or broadcasts false and distorted (full or partial) information to annoy or humiliate someone, or to tarnish the image of the state or to spread rumour.
A person will face up to five years in jail or Tk 10 Lakh or both for committing the offence for second time, it said.
Section 28 says a person may face up to seven years in jail or Tk 10 lakh fine or both if he or she is found to have deliberately published or broadcast something in the website or in electronic form or get it done to hurt one's religious sentiment and values.
A person will face up to ten years in jail or Tk 20 lakh or both for committing the offence for the second time, it said.
Section 32 says a person may face up to 14 years in jail or Tk 20 lakh fine or both on the charge of spying if he or she illegally enters the offices of government, semi-government and autonomous bodies to gather information and uses electronic device to record something secretly.
If that person commits the crime again, he or she will face life imprisonment or a maximum fine of Tk 1 crore or both.
(Justnews/ys/0000hr)
