IFJ, BMSF express concern over Digital Security Act draft

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF) have expressed serious concerns over the provisions curtailing the freedom of expression in the draft of the Digital Security Act 2018, reports UNB.

In a joint statement the IFJ and BMSF demand that the Bangladesh government revises the draft act in accordance with the international standards.

The Cabinet approved the draft of the Digital Security Act 2018, designed to combat 'growing cybercrimes that are affecting many public and private organisations'.

The draft act will be now presented to the Jatiya Sangsad for approval, where the ruling Awami League holds a strong majority, and it is expected to pass, said the joint statement on Tuesday.

The draft act seeks to repeal controversial Section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act that deals with defamatory or other harmful contents online which has been used to silence critics and journalists.

However, journalists and rights activists believe that the new draft is draconian and gags freedom of expression.

"The IFJ is seriously concerned over the proposed Digital Security Act which, if implemented, will not only curb the freedom of speech and expression but also impede independent journalism.

The Section 57 of the ICT Act was used arbitrarily to target journalists and curtail freedom of speech, and the IFJ believes the proposed act provides more grounds to grossly misuse the provisions to harass journalists and restrict freedom of expression," the statement reads.