Amnesty calls for release of RU student
The Bangladeshi authorities must immediately release Rajshahi University student Dilip Roy detained for Facebook posts criticising Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Amnesty International said today.
“Bangladesh’s authorities should immediately drop this case. By invoking draconian laws to hound critics for Facebook posts, they are not just cracking down on peaceful dissent but courting embarrassment,” said Champa Patel, Amnesty International’s Director for South Asia.
Dilip Roy could face up to 14 years in prison after a student body linked to the government filed a case against him under the country’s Information and Communications Technology Act (ICT) for allegedly making “derogatory remarks” about Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid and her ruling Awami League.
His alleged offence was to write two Facebook posts critical of the Prime Minister’s support for a controversial coal power plant. Section 57 of the ICT Act is vaguely formulated and has for years been used by the authorities to target and imprison critics.
Anyone found guilty of “publishing fake, obscene or defaming information in electronic form” can be jailed for a minimum of seven years.
Amnesty International calls on the Bangladeshi authorities to repeal Section 57 of the ICT Act and all other legal provisions that sweepingly and arbitrarily restrict freedom of expression, in violation of Bangladesh’s obligations under international human rights law.
“No country should have such vaguely worded and repressive laws on its books. Bangladesh’s authorities should repeal Section 57 immediately, and stop using it to harass and threaten people who peacefully express views they don’t like,” said Champa Patel.
The ICT Act – first passed in 2006 and amended in 2013 – has for years been used by the authorities in Bangladesh to choke freedom of expression.
According to the human rights organisation Odhikar, at least 59 people were arrested under the ICT Act between January 2014 and July 2016.
Those targeted often include real or perceived online critics of the Prime Minister, her family or the ruling party.