US hopes new cyber law to meet Int’l standards

Staff Reporter :
The United States has welcomed Bangladesh’s decision to repeal the controversial Digital Security Act (DSA), a move that has long been criticised for stifling freedom of expression and suppressing dissenting voices.

The repeal decision comes after mounting domestic and international pressure to address concerns about the law’s impact on human rights.

Apart from it, regarding a query on the extradition of a self-proclaimed killer involved in the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who supposedly staying in the USA, the US government said that they don’t comment on extradition matters.

US State Department spokesperson, Mathew Miller, expressed the US government’s stance during a press briefing in Washington DC on Monday, where he applauded the decision by Bangladesh’s cabinet to repeal the contentious law.

“We welcome the reports that Bangladesh’s cabinet has decided to repeal the Digital Security Act. As we’ve previously stated, the Digital Security Act has been used to arrest, detain, and silence critics,” he said in reply to a query of a journalist.

He further commended, Bangladesh’s commitment to reforming its digital security legislation, acknowledging the government’s intent to create a legal framework that protects freedom of expression and upholds human rights.

“We encourage the Government of Bangladesh to give all stakeholders an opportunity to review and provide input to the new draft Cyber Security Act to ensure it meets international standards,” he said.

The Digital Security Act had been a subject of ongoing debate, with critics highlighting its use to silence critics and curb online activities.

Human rights organisations, journalists, and international bodies had raised concerns about the law’s potential to infringe upon fundamental rights in the digital age.

As the Bangladeshi government takes steps towards repealing and reforming its digital security laws, the international community remains watchful of the process, with expectations that the new legislation will prioritise individual rights and align with global standards of freedom of expression.

The US’s welcoming of the repeal underscores the significance of the decision and the shared commitment to ensuring that digital security measures do not compromise basic human rights.

The move also reflects the growing emphasis on protecting freedom of expression in an increasingly interconnected and digitised world.

As Bangladesh moves forward with reform efforts, all eyes will be on the country’s efforts to draft a new Cyber Security Act that balances the need for digital security with the imperative of safeguarding individual liberties.

The repeal of the Digital Security Act represents a significant step towards creating a more inclusive and rights-respecting legal framework in the digital realm.

But political parties and other rights’ bodies have already stated that the new Cyber Security Act should not be another instrument in the hands of the government to curb the freedom express and harassment ahead of the election.

During the press briefing Miller was also queried about the ongoing extradition of the self-proclaimed killer involved in the assassination of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he reiterated the US government’s stance by stating, “Again, we don’t comment on extradition matters.”