BNP Demands Complete Repeal of DSA

The BNP requested on Tuesday that the Digital Security Act (DSA), which it called the "worst black law for democracy and people's freedom," be completely repealed rather than modified.

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir stated during a news conference that the government's decision to replace the DSA with the Cyber Security Act (CSA) amounted to defrauding the populace.

"Our stance is quite clear; we support the total repeal of the Digital Security Act. The worst black law for democracy and individual freedom, this act shouldn't be allowed to stand, he added.

The BNP leader claimed that one of their demands, for which they are waging the anti-government campaign, is the revocation of the DSA.

"Our major argument is that the legislation should be completely repealed since it violates the rights of the public, the press, and democracy. Therefore, there is no rationale for maintaining this law (in any form)," stated Fakhrul.

He said that in an effort to mislead the public, the administration changed the name of the Digital Security Act to the Cyber Security Act.

The BNP leader claimed that because the government is facing intense criticism from the international world, it is also attempting to appease them with this action.

"When a storm is approaching, the ostrich has a propensity to bury its head in the sand. That is how the government's action is. By duping others in this way, they believe they are being really clever, he added.

Fakhrul stated that after receiving comprehensive information on the government's decision to modify the act, they will formulate their party's official response to the move.

On Monday, the Cabinet reached an agreement in principle to change some parts of the contentious Digital Security Act and replace it with the Cyber Security Act.

Anisul Huq, the law minister, said that various amendments to the DSA's parts and a name change to the Cyber Security Act were made during the Cabinet meeting.

He, however, said the DSA was not scrapped but transformed.

The Digital Security Act was passed by the National Parliament on September 19, 2018.

The press conference was arranged to disclose the outcome of the BNP standing committee meeting held on Monday.

Source: UNB