Scrap all DSA cases against people over free speech
The Committee to Protect Journalists and 18 international rights organisations yesterday urged the Bangladesh government to immediately drop all charges under the Digital Security Act against those targeted for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression.
In a letter sent to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina via email and posted on the website of the CPJ, they also urged the government to release all of those held under the charges.
While they welcomed the government's recent decision to repeal the DSA, they said the draft of the law's replacement, the Cyber Security Act, retains several repressive sections previously used to stifle independent journalism and human rights, including freedom of expression, privacy, and liberty.
They urged the Bangladesh government to consult with and incorporate feedback from civil society organisations, journalists, and other stakeholders to ensure that the new legislation aligns with international human rights standards, upholds the rights to freedom of expression and media freedom as guaranteed by Bangladesh constitution, and does not place journalists and human rights defenders at constant risk of criminalisation for their work.
The media should be free and empowered to cover local and national developments in Bangladesh without fear of reprisal by subjects of reporting or the authorities, reads the latter.
This is particularly relevant in the run-up to the next national election, it adds.
Besides, the letter calls for PM Hasina's intervention to end harassment of television reporter Adhora Yeasmean, who is facing investigation under DSA.
The rights groups are Amnesty International, Article 19 South Asia, Asian Human Rights Commission, Bangladeshi Journalists in International Media, Capital Punishment Justice Project, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Coalition for Women in Journalism, Committee to Protect Journalists, Forum for Freedom of Expression, Free Press Unlimited, IFEX, International Federation for Human Rights, International Federation of Journalists, International Women's Media Foundation, PEN America, PEN Bangladesh, PEN International, Reporters Without Borders, and Robert F Kennedy Human Rights.
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