International Desk: UN human rights chief Volker Turk has called on Bangladesh to immediately suspend the implementation of the digital security law. He made this call in a statement on Friday. “Digital security laws are being used across Bangladesh to arrest, harass, and intimidate journalists and human rights defenders and to stifle online criticism,” said Volker Turk. I am very concerned about this issue.
“I call on the authorities once again to immediately suspend its use and to comprehensively reform its provisions to bring them into line with international human rights law.” My office has already provided the necessary feedback to assist in its revision.
The UN human rights chief said more than 2,000 cases had been filed under the law since it came into force on October 1, 2018. Most recently, on March 29, Shamsuzzaman, a journalist working for the country’s most widely circulated daily, Prothom Alo, was arrested under this law. His house was searched, and his laptop, phone, and other equipment were seized. His bail application was also rejected.
A second case has been filed against Prothom Alo editor Motiur Rahman and a photographer. The case is based on their report on the cost-of-living crisis in Bangladesh.
He added in the statement that in February, a young man named Paritosh Sarkar was sentenced to five years in prison under the Act for allegedly hurting religious sentiments in a Facebook post. Volker Turk said, “My office has continuously raised concerns about various undefined provisions of the Digital Security Act.” He said, “The government promised that there will be safeguards against the arbitrary or excessive application of this law.” But that promise is not enough if arrests continue like this. This law now needs to be properly amended. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights statement also called for the formation of an impartial judicial panel to review all pending cases brought under the Digital Security Act with a view to freeing those accused of violating the Act.
