TIB demands unconditional release of Shams, scrapping of DSA
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) today condemned the arrest of Prothom Alo reporter Samsuzzaman Shams and his production before the court 30 hours after his detention.
In a statement issued today, the anti-corruption watchdog demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Shams and the scrapping of the Digital Security Act.
"Shams was produced before the court 30 hours after he was picked up and the fact that he was missing in the meantime is condemnable," TIB Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said.
"The arrest of journalist Shamsuzzaman not only violates his constitutional right to safety as a citizen but also sets a negative example of media control and punishment."
According to the law, if a person is legally detained, then they must be produced before the court within 24 hours of detention. But the law enforcement agency has clearly failed to do it, said the TIB chief.
In addition, the case, for which he was taken to the court, was filed more than 20 hours after he was picked up, he added.
If any media publishes a report that goes against the ethics of journalism, any aggrieved parties should address their concerns through the Press Council, according to Iftekharuzzaman.
But the direct arrest of a reporter under non-bailable sections of the Digital Security Act, without regard for the Press Council, demonstrates the government's intention to exert control over the media and punish those who express criticism or dissent. It is a violation of the freedom of the media, the statement reads.
"We have evidence that the non-bailable sections under this act are being used as a tool to suppress the voices of people of different professions, especially journalists."
In the last two days, cases have been filed against two more journalists under this act, the statement mentioned.
TIB has always raised concerns about various sections of this act since it was created. Even the law minister had hinted at amending the act in the wake of its misuse, reads the statement.
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