Risk intelligence (05/03/2021) - Bangladesh

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WRITER DIES IN JAIL, PROTEST SPREADS IN BANGLADESH

Bangladesh has reported protests against the Digital Security Act (DSA) following the death of writer and government critic Mushtaq Ahmed, who was detained under the controversial legislation and had been under pre-trial custody since May 2020.

Tension is running high in the capital Dhaka, where protesters clashed with the police on 28 February, while demonstrations were also reported in other parts of the country including Chattogram and Khulna.

The DSA, promulgated by the parliament in 2018, aims to protect the country’s cyber space that has become highly vulnerable to incidents like hate and misinformation campaigns, apart from hacking, but the legislation has invited criticism from human rights activists and international agencies due to certain provisions, especially the one that allows authorities to arrest an individual without a warrant.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has defended the act in the face of rising opposition and criticism, but experts and human rights activists allege that vague wordings and broad provisions allow authorities space to misuse the act to silent government critics and political opposition.

The parliament cleared the DSA in late 2018 following sectarian violence triggered by social media posts, but since then the media have highlighted several incidents of alleged misuse.

Protesters have been demanding amendments to the law, which has provisions for hefty fines and lengthy jail terms for violators, and also a judicial commission to investigate into the incidents and allegations of abuse by authorities.

A recent Amnesty International report citing the Cyber Crime Tribunal (CCT) data reveals that authorities have filed nearly 2,000 cases under the DSA till date.

At least 10 newspaper editors faced legal charges under the act last year for critical reporting on leaders of the ruling Awami League party.