In a statement on Thursday, Article 19 said, “Prior to the DSA receiving presidential approval, we urge the government to review the DSA, with the full and effective participation of civil society, and in particular, freedom of expression organisations, to ensure that digital rights are fully protected”.
Section 57 of the ICT Act has frequently been applied to silence journalists and media workers, activists, editors, teachers, social media users and public thinkers – over 90 cases have been brought since January 2018, claimed the organization.
The Digital Security Act (DSA), which has been approved by the Parliament earlier and awaits Presidential approval, stood to repeal Section 57 of the ICT Act, its most problematic elements will be replicated, claimed the statement.
“The DSA promises to impose far-reaching restrictions on online expression, affecting all Internet users in Bangladesh, broadly criminalising and imposing wholly disproportionate punitive measures for expression lawful under international law. New, and overbroad powers to block and remove online content without judicial oversight, are also of deep concern”, it said.
ARTICLE 19 strongly urged the government of Bangladesh to take all the necessary steps to protect and promote freedom of expression both in law and in practice in the country, by implementing all UPR recommendations related to these rights in consultation with civil society.
“We stand ready to support the government in this process, and call on all UN Member States, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), to provide the technical assistance required”, said the statement.
Article 19 stated that they are concerned by the ‘deteriorating situation’ for the rights to freedom of expression and information, peaceful assembly and association in in Bangladesh, in particular in recent months.
The oral statement was delivered at the UN Human Rights Council’s 39th session in Geneva and the organization published the statement in its website.
The organization also welcomed the commitments by Bangladesh government to take steps to protect journalists and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) and tackle religious intolerance.
“ARTICLE 19 welcomes the constructive engagement by the Government of Bangladesh during its third Universal Periodic Review, including its consultation with civil society organisations”, said the statement.
It also urged the government to continue its constructive approach and to work with civil society to ensure the swift implementation of its UPR recommendations, to ensure the right to freedom of expression, online and offline, can be freely exercised by all in Bangladesh.
Article 19, in its statement, also demanded immediate and unconditional release of photojournalist Shahidul Alam, detained on 5 August 2018 for allegedly “instigating students to continue a recent movement (on ensuring road safety) against the government” and “spreading propaganda against the government” in relation to remarks he gave to media organisations, in the aftermath of student protests in the country.