The Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) has called on the interim government to repeal the Cyber Security Act. In a press release on Thursday, the organization stated that the Cyber Security Act continues the repressive behavior seen in the 2006 ICT Act and the 2018 Digital Security Act, posing a threat to human rights. The press release noted that the Cyber Security Act grants powers to arrest or detain any individual without permission. This law facilitates the control of online content and obstructs personal freedom of expression. As a result, it is often used against journalists, human rights activists, and dissenters. During recent anti-discrimination movements, numerous individuals have been arrested under this law. Therefore, the law should be repealed, and individuals detained under it should be released.
BASIS President Russell T. Ahmed stated, “The Cyber Security Act is a threat to freedom of expression and personal security in Bangladesh. Based on my recent experiences, I can say that this law is misused in various ways. To end the suppression of dissent and align with international human rights standards, this law must be repealed.”
