Staff Reporter :
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has urged the interim government to allow at least a month for a comprehensive review and inclusive consultation process before enacting the draft “Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024.”
The anti-corruption watchdog emphasised that issuing the ordinance without thorough analysis and consultation with relevant stakeholders risks undermining its intended objectives, according to a press release issued on Tuesday.
In this regard, TIB formally made a recommendation to the interim government on Sunday.
TIB Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman stated, “Issuing such an important ordinance like the ‘Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024’ without sufficient analysis and inclusive feedback from relevant stakeholders could disrupt its core objectives.”
He called on the government to allocate at least one month for all relevant stakeholders and experts to participate in a comprehensive review of the draft.
“This process will ensure that the ordinance is issued only after a careful and inclusive analysis has been conducted,” he added.
Dr Iftekharuzzaman also noted that the decision to repeal the Cyber Security Act, which was used to suppress dissent and silence the media, has brought relief to citizens, marking a public welfare-oriented step by the interim government.
“TIB hopes that the Cyber Protection Ordinance will be enacted to ensure cyber security and establish necessary provisions for preventing and addressing cybercrimes, as well as for conducting cyber-crime investigations and judicial proceedings.
However, it is crucial to consider the potential risks of this ordinance – similar to the Digital Security Act and Cyber Security Act-that could restrict freedom of speech and expression,” he concluded.
