Experts call for review of Digital Security Act

Legal experts and civil society members on Saturday expressed fear that the Digital Security Act -2018, passed in the parliament on September 19, might be used to curtail the freedom of expression in digital arena, reports UNB.

Speaking at a discussion on 'Digital Security Act-2018; Human Rights under Threat' at Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU), they urged the government to have a review prior to final approval of the legislature by the president.

Committee for the Protection of Fundamental Rights, a platform of civil society members to protect fundamental rights, organised the discussion.

Supreme Court lawyer Dr Shahdeen Malik apprehended that the legislature would curb citizens' freedom of expression.

He noted that when a law proposes establishment of any special institution to implement the law, it clearly describes the duties, responsibilities and power of the institution.

However, this act does not have any clear description about the power of the institution and its chief rather, he observed.

It has the chance to be used wishfully by the government as they have kept the control to increase and decrease the work mandate of the institution and its chief and people are not aware about how the institution will practise the power, he added.

Dr Malik said, "A specific law to address the misuse of computer system and internet is necessary for the country but not in the way which will curb the freedom of expression of the people."

In 1791, the USA made their constitution having a provision to secure every right of freedom of expression of their people, but "I don't know how many years will be needed for Bangladesh to reach USA's 1791 standard of democracy", he wondered.

Dr Malik also alleged that several sections of the Digital Security Act are more alarming than the Section 57 of the Information Technology Act-2006 and he sought review of those.