Adrian Johnson
TLDR:
- The Cyber Security Act 2023 (CSA) in Bangladesh is continuing the government’s crackdown on peaceful dissent and freedom of expression.
- The CSA repackages repressive features of the Digital Security Act 2018 (DSA) and marks a continuation of state’s clampdown on human rights.
Full Article:
Amnesty International has highlighted concerns over the Cyber Security Act 2023 in Bangladesh, stating that it continues the government’s crackdown on peaceful dissent and freedom of expression. The Act replaces the controversial Digital Security Act 2018 (DSA) and retains many of its repressive features. Despite claims of reform, the CSA is essentially the same legislation as the DSA with minor amendments. The UN has provided recommendations for reforming the DSA to align with international human rights law, but only one of the nine recommendations has been implemented in the CSA.
Amnesty International’s analysis found that the CSA retains 58 of 62 provisions from the DSA, with only one new provision introduced. Changes made to the final version of the CSA compared to the draft were mostly minor, indicating that feedback from civil society was largely ignored. The government’s misuse of the criminal justice system to target dissenting voices, including journalists and activists, has been a key concern.
Amnesty International urges Bangladesh’s new interim government to prioritize human rights and avoid repeating the mistakes of the past. The ongoing lawfare against dissent in Bangladesh highlights the need for international pressure to ensure respect for human rights and protection of freedom of expression.
