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PROPOSED DIGITAL SECURITY ACT

Revoke all 'repressive' sections

Demands Workers Party of Bangladesh

Staff Correspondent
Workers Party of Bangladesh has demanded revoking all the “repressive" sections including section 32 of the proposed Digital Security Act, 2018.
In a statement yesterday, the party's politburo said the government, in the face of citizen's demand, considered abolishing section 57 of the ICT Act and removed concerns from people's mind.
But greater apprehension and anxiety grew among them with the approval of the draft of the new law, it said.
"Although section 57 has been repealed in the proposed law, it has been replaced in a new and harsher way in different sections of the proposed law," says the
statement of the Workers Party, which is a partner of ruling Awami League in the government.
If the sections were kept, it will not only hamper the freedom of journalism and journalists but also threaten the freedom of expression of all, the statement observes.
The politburo, in which Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon is a member, said scopes are there for widespread misuse of section 57 in light of section 32 and some other sections of the proposed law.
"These sections will particularly greatly obstruct investigative reporting," reads the statement, adding, the Workers Party does not deny but considers the need for a law to deal with cybercrimes."But it cannot be acceptable if it becomes a tool for repression."
Considering everything, the Workers Party called for withdrawal of the approved draft and fresh formulation of a law upon consultation with all the stakeholders.
Bangladesh Democratic Lawyers Association (BDLA) has also demanded immediate cancellation of the proposed act, terming it punitive, contradictory and unconstitutional.
"There is no need for formulation of a new law in the name of Digital Security Act, as the existing laws are
sufficient to ensure state security," BDLA President Advocate Sheikh Akhtarul Islam said while addressing a press conference at the Law Reporters Forum's office on the Supreme Court Bar Association premises yesterday.
He demanded formulation of the digital security act based on opinions and suggestions of the legal as well as ICT experts.
He reminded that punishment for damaging the state security and public discipline has been mentioned in section 121 of the penal code.
He further said Law Minister Anisul Huq's assurance to provide legal sup-
port to journalists in case of harassment by the proposed act was a political statement as his law profession was suspended after he became a minister.
Advocate Hasan Tarique Chowdhury, international affairs secretary of BDLA, said the proposed act would damage citizens’ right, as section 8 (2) of it allows police to block information. The police can harass journalists from collecting information, he argued.
Organising Secretary Advocate Aynunnahar Siddique and Executive Member Advocate Arifur Haque Rokon also spoke at the press conference.