'Digital Security Act succeeds in creating culture of fear'
More than 1,100 DSA cases were filed against 2,889 people in the last four years
The Digital Security Act (DSA) has succeeded in creating an atmosphere of fear in society when it comes to expressing opinions, eminent citizens said in a webinar on Saturday.
At the event titled "What's Happening: Trends and Patterns of Digital Security Act 2018 in Bangladesh" panel discussants said the statistics of the last four years suggest that the act has been misused in the country.
Referring to the statistics, they stated that government officials filed an average of four cases per month under this law.
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In the webinar organised by the Center for Governance Studies (CGS), Ali Riaz, distinguished professor at Illinois State University in the USA, highlighted the statistics of accused, arrests, and identities of arrestees, and plaintiffs in the digital security act cases.
He said the purpose of the law was to create an environment of fear. Through its enforcement, arrangements have been made so that everyone remains in constant fear and does not protest.
Ali Riaz, in his keynote, alleged that the ruling party members are using the DSA to target journalists and their political opponents.
Experts said in many cases filed under the act, the probe report is not submitted within the stipulated 75 days, forcing the accused to remain detained for a long time before the beginning of trial proceedings.
Around 1,109 DSA cases have been filed against 2,889 people and at least 26 juveniles under the age of 18 have been charged in the last four years between October 2018 and August 2022. Among the total accused, 1,119 people were detained, which is 38.74%, according to the Center for Governance Studies data.
The organisation conducted a study where it analysed 1,109 cases which it tracked down with detailed information.
Syed Ishtiaque Reza, a senior journalist, stated that "We should rethink about reviewing the act and the government should investigate the flaws and misuse of this act against individuals."
In his speech, he further said, "The DSA has been used more against secularists than the radicalists.
According to the study report, of the accused whose professions are known, 301 and 280 are politicians and journalists respectively.
However, it is not a complete picture of the DSA cases as law enforcement agencies are reluctant to release details of the cases, the participants noted.
Saimum Reza Talukder, senior lecturer at Brac University said the act should be renamed the "Digital Freedom Act" as far as freedom of expression is concerned.
Masud Kamal, another senior journalist, termed DSA as the act of establishing a fear culture.
"Such a situation has been created that even if you like a post on social media, you can be accused. However, not a single police officer or government officer or minister has, so far, been accused under this law which states that this act is not for all," he added.
Advocate Alena Khan said, "Different provisions of the act are contradictory to our constitution. It is against existing laws and gives police power to arrest anyone based on suspicion."
