Staff Reporter :
Gono Shanghati Andolon (GSA) on Saturday said, the Digital Security Act-2018 is an attempt to centralise the incumbent government’s power.
“The act shuts the window of freedom of speech and expression,” the leaders of the GSA said.
They said this at a press conference held in the capital’s Moni Singh Farhad Memorial Trust Bhaban.
The threat of cybercrimes can be tackled by amending the existing law, they said.
Professor Anu Mohammad said, the government has an ill motive
and that is why they did it. He said that, the Editors’ Council did a commendable job by expressing their concerns with the government; whose response is not yet clear.
Meanwhile, Central Coordinator of the GSA Jonayed Saki said there are few laws which are as repressive as Digital Security Act 2018.
The government employees have been given indemnity, but a shiver runs down my spine,” he said.
Another speaker Ainul Huq of Left Democratic Alliance said, it will not be wrong if the proposed law is termed as “Government Protection Act” and it is unimaginable to think such law exists in the present day and age.
The Digital Security Bill 2018 was passed in the Parliament on September 19 with a harsh provision allowing police officials to search or arrest anyone without any warrant.
The bill got through by voice vote amid opposition from a number of Jatiya Party lawmakers, ignoring concern of journalists, owners of media houses and rights activists over some of its sections.
The law was sent to the office of President Abdul Hamid on Thursday for his assent.
Gono Shanghati Andolon (GSA) on Saturday said, the Digital Security Act-2018 is an attempt to centralise the incumbent government’s power.
“The act shuts the window of freedom of speech and expression,” the leaders of the GSA said.
They said this at a press conference held in the capital’s Moni Singh Farhad Memorial Trust Bhaban.
The threat of cybercrimes can be tackled by amending the existing law, they said.
Professor Anu Mohammad said, the government has an ill motive
and that is why they did it. He said that, the Editors’ Council did a commendable job by expressing their concerns with the government; whose response is not yet clear.
Meanwhile, Central Coordinator of the GSA Jonayed Saki said there are few laws which are as repressive as Digital Security Act 2018.
The government employees have been given indemnity, but a shiver runs down my spine,” he said.
Another speaker Ainul Huq of Left Democratic Alliance said, it will not be wrong if the proposed law is termed as “Government Protection Act” and it is unimaginable to think such law exists in the present day and age.
The Digital Security Bill 2018 was passed in the Parliament on September 19 with a harsh provision allowing police officials to search or arrest anyone without any warrant.
The bill got through by voice vote amid opposition from a number of Jatiya Party lawmakers, ignoring concern of journalists, owners of media houses and rights activists over some of its sections.
The law was sent to the office of President Abdul Hamid on Thursday for his assent.
