Digital Security Act govt’s weapon to cling to power: BNP

Accusing the government of using the Digital Security Act as a weapon to cling onto power, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today demanded annulment of the law and withdrawal of all cases filed under it. 

The BNP leader said this while addressing at a virtual press conference from his Uttara residence.

"Around 153 people were harassed by filing of cases against them under the Digital Security Act from January to June 2020. If you analyse the allegations of the cases, you'll see that those were filed for raising voice against ruling party plunderers, expressing political views and criticising the government," he said.

"The nation's voice is silenced now in fear of facing cases under the Digital Security Act. Since the formation of the act, BNP has been saying that this law is unconstitutional and a tool of the government to suppress the voice of people. They made the law to cling to power. We think the law should be revoked immediately and the freedom of expression of free-thinking people should be ensured," he observed.

Fakhrul further said the government is abusing section 57 of the Digital Security Act for violating human rights and limiting freedom of expression.

Referring to the statistics of different rights bodies, Fakhrul said a total of 108 cases were filed against 204 people under the act as of June 22 this year.

Of them, 44 are journalists and 160 are either other professionals or common people.

In 2019, 63 cases were filed under the Digital Security Act and 71 cases in 2018.

The BNP leader demanded the government to free all those arrested in cases filed under the digital security act. He also demanded withdrawal of those cases, including that against Manabzamin Editor-in-chief Matiur Rahman Chowdhury and Prothom Alo Editor Matiur Rahman.

Replying to a question, the BNP secretary general said their party, if it returns to power through a fair election, will abolish all the laws that curtail the rights of people, freedom of speech and freedom of thoughts.

BNP will send a letter to the government urging it to annul the Digital Security Act, he added.