DSA must be repealed to ensure fundamental rights: TIB

Staff Reporter  :
Without repealing the Digital Security Act, it is not possible to protect people’s fundamental rights, including freedom of the press, speakers said in panel discussion on Wednesday.

During the same event, Law Minister Advocate Anisul Huq stated that the government has no intention of repealing the DSA under any circumstances. However, some amendments may be made by September if deemed necessary.

“I unequivocally want to make it clear that the government will not repeal the DSA under any circumstances, but we will amend it by September, if necessary,” law minister said while addressing as the Chief Guest.

He said this at an event “Shaping a Future of Rights” discussion organised by UNESCO, Article 19, and Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) in the capital on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of World Press Freedom Day.
“After the enactment of the DSA in 2018, there were some misuse and abuse cases, which the government admits. However, it is also true that such misuse and abuse have decreased significantly. At one point, we felt that we were not able to use this law correctly. That is why we have formed a committee,” he said.
He also said, “The UNHCR has given us a technical paper on the DSA, and we are examining it. Although they have suggested the repeal of some sections of the law, we have a different opinion on the matter. However, we feel the need to amend the Digital Security Act by September.”

In response to the statement made by the law minister, TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said, “We also unequivocally want to say that there will be no solution without repealing the DSA, because this Act is being used or abused as a weapon to deprive people from their fundamental rights alongside the freedom of the media.”
“Even if it is amended or reformed, the law will not reflect the interests of the people and will not be acceptable to the public. Instead, it should be repealed and a new cyber security law should be enacted,” he said.

He held the Digital Security Act responsible for this alarming situation and said that there is no alternative to the law’s repeal.
Gwyn Lewis, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Bangladesh, said, “Journalism is a profession where only public interest is given priority. It is our responsibility to ensure its protection.”

Geeti Ara Nasrin, a professor of Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka, said, “The freedom of the media is not ensured just by having multiple media outlets in a country. To ensure a democratic environment, the media must work independently. Various studies have shown that media freedom is lower in countries with higher levels of inequality.”

“Despite the instructions of the Law Minister against repression, in many cases including picking up journalist at dead of night, it is not followed. In such a situation, we want to raise the question of how we can ensure our rights,” Supreme Court Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua said.
The Executive Editor of the Dhaka Tribune, Riaz Ahmed, said, “There is nothing to control the media, rather everyone has to work to ensure the proper environment for media work.”