A memorandum signed by 100 concerned citizens has called for the repeal of the Cyber Protection Ordinance, arguing that it undermines the spirit of the July-August uprising and the aspirations of the youth for a new Bangladesh.
“The Cyber Security Act 2023 was used indiscriminately against protesters during the July-August uprising. We had hoped the interim government would repeal this undemocratic law, which violates human rights, and replace it with a well-conceived, people-friendly law that supports freedom of expression and good governance,” the memorandum said.
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Instead, the issuance of the Cyber Protection Ordinance has raised concerns about the erosion of fundamental human rights.
The signatories warned that the ordinance could pave the way for an autocratic state, with sections 35 and 36 highlighted as particularly problematic.
These sections grant police the authority to arbitrarily detain individuals and seize and search their electronic devices, which could lead to widespread harassment of citizens.
Section 8 of the ordinance stated that if any content goes against the national unity of the country or hurts religious sentiments then the content can be blocked.
“This is opening the road to abuse of this law against journalism and freedom of expression,” the memorandum said.
“Sections 25 and 26 address harassment, insult and the hurting of religious sentiment, all of which are subjective matters. These provisions can be abused for ill-motivation,” it added.
It highlighted that satire, internet memes, graffiti, and cartoons, which were vital forms of protest against the previous autocratic regime, are now at risk under section 25, which permits the prosecution of individuals using these mediums to insult or humiliate others.
“This is taking away the freedom of expression of artists, and their license to creativity. The police cannot decide if a work has artistic value or not,” it added.
The law does not include any accountability for law enforcement agencies.
The statement was signed by Fahim Mashroor, Sabhanaz Rashid Diya, Jyotirmoy Barua, Promiti Prova Chowdhury, Trishia Nashtaran, Ananya Raihan, Simu Naser, Shahidul Alam, Professor Saiful Khandokar, Sadik Mahbub Islam, Imdadul Haque, Sayeed Kabir, Professor Rumi Ahmed Khan, Shafiqur Rahman, Asif Mohammed Shahan, Asif Iqbal, Islamul Haque, Shamaruh Mirza, Marzia Mithila, Jyoti Rahman, Didarul Bhuiyan, Reng Yang Mro, Hana Shams Ahmed, Marzia Prova, Jobaer Raihan, and Aklima Ferdows Lisa, among others.
