Speakers calls for abolishing CSA

Speakers at a view exchange meeting demanded to abolish the "Cyber Security Act" as the law is not amendable.

Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs on Thursday organised the discussion on the proposed amendments at the Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI) in the city.

Dr Asif Nazrul, law advisor, presided over the programme. Md Nahid Islam, advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcas-ting; Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director at Transparency International Bangladesh; Md Golam Rabbani, law secretary; Ikteder Ahmed, former district and sessions Judge; Sara Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman Khan, barristers; journalist Kader Gani Chowdhury; lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir; among others, gave their opinion at the event.

Law Advisor Dr Asif Nazrul said, "Ultimately the law will be abolished. When a new law will be enacted then its basic approach will be about giving protection to the citizen. We have already taken initiatives to withdraw all the cases filed under the CSA. We have good intentions and unity. We know what to do and how to do. I can promise you that we will free Bangladesh from all the black laws gradually."

Information and Broadcasting Advisor Nahid Islam said, "Cyber Security Act which was earlier known as Digital Security Act was enacted only to abuse of it. As a result it has been used as a political tool. Now the mindset behind enacting the law is very clear to us. No matter how we amend it, this mindset will leave a doubt about the law. So we need to change the law including its intention."

He suggested that no new case should be filed under the case in the country until its amendment or enacting a new law in this regard.

Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "Digital Security Act and Cyber Security Act were among the main tools used to establish an authoritarian rule in the country and prolonging it. So the law should be abolished. This law provided unlimited power to the police, which is not normal. I hope this law will not exist in the new Bangladesh."

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