DSA enacted to ensure security for select few: speakers

At least 402 cases were filed under the Digital Security Act between January last year and February 25 this year, according to a research report of Centre for Governance Studies (CGS). 

Some 873 people were made accused in these cases while the number of complainants is 338, the report said.

Only three people were relieved from a case, one person held under the act died in prison, and 22 people were granted interim bail, it said.

None of the cases have been settled while most of those are under trial at present, it added.

CGS Chairman Manjur A Chowdhury presented the research findings during a webinar yesterday, said a press release.

Addressing the webinar, Ali Riaz, distinguished professor at Illinois State University, said there are several articles in the act that are "unclear" and many of its terms are not defined properly.

He called for proper investigations into the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed, who died in prison, and the disappearance incident of journalist Shafiqul Islam Kajol.

Kajol was later found, sent to jail in a case under the DSA, and subsequently released on bail.

In last few years, the country's political culture and electoral system have been destroyed and to keep people away from criticising all this, the government enacted the law, Ali Riaz said.

The act is not made to give security to common people rather to ensure security of a particular party, group of people and their family members, said Faruq Faisel, Article 19's regional director for South Asia.

Expressing concern, eminent jurist Shahdeen Malik said press freedom cannot be judged based on how many media are operating rather on the point whether the media can run without being threatened.

Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim said there are opportunities for discussion on DSA and the government is trying its best to ensure justice.

Zakia Parvin Khanam, member of the parliamentary standing committee on post, telecommunications and information technology ministry, also addressed the webinar.