The Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) on Friday cautiously welcomed bringing amendment to the Digital Security Act (DSA), tipped by Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq.
Besides, the international graft watchdog urged the government to include representatives from media and civil society in the committee to review the law, according to a TIB statement.
The law minister on Thursday said, "A six-member committee with representatives from the law ministry, ICT ministry, and home affairs ministry has been formed to look into the issue."
He said this in reply to a query from reporters at a view-exchange meeting, organised by the Overseas Correspondents Association Bangladesh (OCAB) at the National Press Club in the capital.
Referring to the remark, the TIB said, "The inclusion of representatives from media and civil society is required to evaluate effective implementation of the minister's remark on reviewing and amending the 'suppressive' act."
Besides, the organisation also urged the government not to arrest someone right after lodging a case against the person under the DSA.
In the statement, TIB Executive Director (ED) Dr Iftekharuzzaman said, "Different civil society platforms and media have been expressing deep concern over the act (DSA), especially about sections 25 and 31, since its enactment."
"Despite opposition from different quarters about the act, which has been used as a tool to bar free thinking and freedom of speech, the government has paid no heed to the concern."
Under such circumstances, inclusion of media and civil society representatives in the committee to review the act is crucial to prevent misuse of the act in the coming days, he added.
Citing data of the Article 19, a global human rights defender, Dr Zaman noted that in the first 11 months of 2021, at least 225 cases were filed under the DSA, accusing over 400 people - of whom 166 were arrested instantly.
A major portion of these cases were filed against the individuals, who criticised powerful people in social media.
"It means the act has made instances of not only suppressing the media and different thoughts of general citizens, but also preventing criticism of the government," the TIB ED added.
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