The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights had called for the repeal of two sections (21 and 28) of the Digital Security Act. But the proposed law has retained the content. Section 21 provides for punishment for any propaganda or propaganda against the Liberation War, the spirit of the Liberation War, the Father of the Nation, the National Anthem or the National Flag.
The Council of Editors had called for amendments to nine sections of the Digital Security Act (8, 21, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 43 and 53) as they said they would harm independent journalism and freedom of expression. will be. The proposed legislation also fails to clearly define the crimes.
Meanwhile, the Law Minister has informed us that the Digital Security Act will be repealed as soon as the Cyber Security Act is passed. Yet he has also said that even though the law will be repealed, cases pending under the old law will continue. The problem is that 90 percent of the cases under the Digital Security Act are still pending. These cases were filed with the intention of intimidating political rivals and media stakeholders. According to the statement of the Law Minister, along with curbing the punishment in the new law, the provision of making non-bailable cases bailable will not be applicable to these accused. Why would they be prosecuted under a law that has been declared invalid?
Under the Digital Security Act, the complaint must be filed within 90 days. Yet the investigating officer cannot complete the investigation even in a few years. Efforts should be made on them also. And those who languish in jail month after month without trial should be compensated.
Article 19, which deals with the rights of information and expression, says that 40 per cent of all cases under the Digital Security Act in 2021 will be registered for criticism of the Prime Minister, ministers and leaders and activists at various levels of the ruling party. have been done. Apart from criticizing the Prime Minister and ministers, cases have also been registered under DSA for criticizing leaders of organizations associated with Awami League such as Jubo League, Chhatra League, Swachhashebok League etc.