Suspend DSA immediately, protect media freedom

Six international rights bodies have called upon the Bangladesh government to immediately suspend the use of the Digital Security Act pending its repeal or amendment in line with international human rights law.

They also demanded the government conduct swift, impartial, transparent and effective investigations into all acts of violence against journalists and hold any suspected perpetrators accountable in fair trials.

"Drop all charges against all who have been accused simply of exercising their right to freedom of expression. End harassment of journalists and protect media freedom. Ensure that people can voice criticism and concerns, both offline and online, without fearing sanctions."

In a statement marking World Press Freedom Day, the six organisations yesterday also urged an end to misuse of laws to curtail the right to freedom of expression in Bangladesh and protect the media's right to operate freely and independently, and respect the public's right to information through full and unrestricted access to news outlets.

The six platforms are Amnesty International, CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation, Committee to Project Journalists, Human Rights Watch, International Federation for Human Rights and Reporters Without Borders.

They said 56 journalists in Bangladesh have been reportedly targeted by the government and its supporters in the first three months of 2023.

Journalists in Bangladesh are at risk of arrest under the draconian DSA and being subjected to harassment, surveillance, and physical attacks by government supporters, the statement mentioned.

The rights bodies said they are alarmed at the increasing attacks against journalists and others, exercising their right to freely criticise government's policies and practices.

"The widespread restrictions on freedom of expression undermine the conditions for open political debate ahead of elections, scheduled for January 2024….

"We are disturbed by the continued use of the draconian Digital Security Act against journalists in retaliation for their work on topics including governmental policies, alleged corruption, and illicit business practices in Bangladesh. The act permits heavy fines and prison sentences for those who dissent and, with broadly defined 'threat', it allows warrantless arrests based simply on a suspicion that a crime has been committed online."

Citing a tracker operated by the Dhaka-based think tank Centre for Governance Studies, the statement said that as of early May 2023, at least 339 DSA cases were filed against journalists since its inception in 2018.

Newsrooms are further being driven towards self-censorship, with government authorities demanding that news articles be removed from their websites, as the DSA allows the government to order the removal and blocking of any information or data on the internet it deems necessary, the statement said.

"The DSA also allows for invasive surveillance by permitting authorities to require service providers and other intermediaries to hand over data without requiring a court-obtained warrant," it added.