DSA misused to some extent

Though the Digital Security Act has been formulated to prevent cybercrimes, it has been misused to some extent, Law Minister Anisul Huq said yesterday.

He was speaking at a meeting with US Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D Haas at his secretariat office. The ambassador made a courtesy call to him.

"He [US ambassador] wanted to discuss the Digital Security Act. I told him that the act has been formulated to prevent cybercrimes, not to curtail the freedom of speech or independence of the press.

"However, we have seen that the act has been misused to some extent. I have explained to him what steps we have taken to this effect after talking to the home minister," said the law minister.

The government is holding talks with the UN Human Rights office and the European Union's consultant to ensure the best practices of the law, added Anisul.

He said, "I told him that our constitution is different than those of other countries as our constitution has guaranteed freedom of the press as a fundamental right."

"I have clearly told him [US ambassador] that I have a demand. Rashed Chowdhury, a convicted killer of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and his family, has been hiding in the USA. He needs to be sent back to Bangladesh," Anisul told reporters after the meeting.

"He said this is a burning issue which should be settled quickly."

The ambassador does not want this issue to negatively impact the relations, he said, adding, "We have discussed the modality regarding this issue. I will not disclose much about it now. We have decided that we will go ahead in accordance with the modality."

The US will provide training to cyber tribunals' judges and lawyers to prevent the human trafficking in Bangladesh, he said.

The law minister said they also talked about a case filed by then US ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat, which is now pending.

"We will ensure that the prosecution carry out their responsibilities properly," Anisul said.