Ignoring the views and recommendations of all sections and quarters including the editor’s council, journalist leaders, all opposition parties and intellectuals, the much-talked about and controversial Digital Security Bill has been passed in the parliament on Wednesday. Condemning such move of the government, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s Secretary General Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has issued the following statement on 20th September 2018.
“The people of different quarters including started protesting the so-called Digital Security Bill, since the government had taken initiative to pass it. All of them repeatedly urged the government not to enact this bill. But defying and ignoring their views, the government has passed the bill in the parliament on 19th September. I am condemning the bill.
This controversial Digital Security Bill has kept the section 32, which states that if someone uses digital media to intimidate people or cause damage to the state, he/she will face imprisonment for 14 years or 25 lac taka fine or both. Section 32 (2) says, if someone commits the same crime mentioned in sub-section one repeatedly, they will face life term imprisonment or taka one crore fine or both. This reality clearly indicates that the so-called Digital Security Bill is a black law.
This black law reminds us the dark history of 1975, when the then government had closed all the newspapers, keeping just four newspapers in their control in a bid to curb the press freedom. That black law of the BAKSHAL government was widely rejected by the people. The people have rejected this black law as well. This law clearly contradicts the spirit of freedom of expression and press freedom. This law is also contradictory with the constitution. By passing this law, the government has seized the freedom of expression and freedom and media completely. This law is similar to declare war against the freedom of expression of the general masses. I am urging people of all classes to form massive resistance against this black law.
The countrymen will not accept this black law. In this backdrop, I am urging the concerned authorities to repeal this bill immediately.”
