Amnesty International on Monday asked the Bangladesh authorities to end its crackdown on the right to free expression online and urgently r...
Amnesty International on Monday asked the Bangladesh authorities to end its crackdown on the right to free expression online and urgently repeal the draconian Digital Security Act, unless it can be amended in compliance with international human rights law and standards.
In its new briefing titled “No space for dissent”, the global rights body examines cases under the country’s Digital Security Act, a law that contains overly broad and vague provisions granting the authorities extensive powers to police the online space.
The cases it scrutinises involve 10 individuals who have been subjected to a wide range of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and torture, simply for criticising powerful people on social media.
Bangladesh has at least 433 people imprisoned under the Digital Security Act as of July, most of whom are held on allegations of publishing false and offensive information online.
Allegations of torture
Those targeted include journalists, cartoonists, musicians, activists, entrepreneurs, students and even a farmer who cannot read or write, among others. In one case, writer Mushtaq Ahmed died in prison after languishing there for 10 months without trial on accusations under the Act. One detained person alleged that he was subjected to torture.
“The actions taken by the authorities under the purview of the DSA demonstrate just how dangerous it...
