Describing the new Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024 as an extension of the Digital Security Act (DSA), BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi on Thursday expressed concern over its potential abuse, as the law enforcement agencies have been given immense powers.
“A new law, styled The Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024, has been passed. I am astonished at how this law has been passed by those advisers who worked for human rights and involved in the July-August movement,” he said while addressing a discussion.
Rajshahi University Nationalist Ex-Student Association (RUNESA) organised the programme commemorating a bloody incident on Rajshahi University campus on 22 December.
The BNP leader said law enforcement agencies have been granted ambiguous and extensive authority through the Cyber Protection Ordinance.
According to the act, he said, the law enforcers have the power to remove or repeal any information deemed to be a threat to national solidarity, security, defense, religious values, and public safety. “It seems to me that this act is an extension of the Digital Security Act.”
The BNP leader questioned how the government would define solidarity, security, and religious values. “If law enforcement agencies are given such immense power, there is a significant risk of extensive abuse.
He also said it was not expected from the current government, which came to power through a revolution, to pass law aimed at suppressing the people’s voice like autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier, on Tuesday, the Council of Advisers, in its meeting on Tuesday, in principle approved the draft ‘Cyber Protection Ordinance, 2024’ placed by the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division.
On December 17, Transparency International Bangladesh’s Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the decision to repeal the Cyber Security Act, which was used as a tool to suppress dissent and silence the media, has brought relief to all citizens, which is one of the public welfare-oriented steps of the interim government.
