TL;DR:
- The interim government of Bangladesh announced plans to replace the controversial Cyber Security Act (CSA) with a new Cyber Protection Act, aiming to protect citizens while ensuring digital safety.
- Law Adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed that out of 5,818 pending cases under cyber laws, 870 speech offense cases will be withdrawn quickly through coordination between Law and Home Affairs ministries.
- The government is drafting new regulations for Supreme Court judge appointments and has prepared amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act for Advisory Council approval.
- Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and Law Adviser Asif Nazrul have differing views on election reforms, with Nazrul emphasizing essential reforms must happen before elections while Yunus suggested proceeding without reforms if parties agree.
The Bangladesh interim government announced plans to replace the controversial Cyber Security Act (CSA) with a new Cyber Protection Act, as part of broader reforms before upcoming elections. Law Adviser Asif Nazrul made this announcement during a press conference at the Secretariat on November 19, 2024.
The government’s reform agenda includes significant changes to the judicial appointment process and amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act. “We will conduct the elections as soon as possible after making some of the most essential reforms. We do not want a repeat of the fake elections like before,” Nazrul stated during the press conference.
This announcement follows the interim government’s earlier decision to repeal the CSA, which had faced widespread criticism for restricting freedom of expression. Under the previous administration, over 5,800 cases were filed under various cyber security laws, with 1,340 cases specifically related to speech offenses.
The transition comes amid broader political reforms under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, who assumed leadership following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August. The interim government has already begun withdrawing hundreds of speech offense cases filed under the previous laws.
Nazrul’s statement appears to differ from Yunus’s recent interview with Al Jazeera, where the Chief Adviser suggested proceeding with election preparations without implementing reforms if political parties desired. However, the law adviser emphasized that most interim government members are eager to return to their professions once essential reforms are completed.
The proposed changes represent a significant shift in Bangladesh’s approach to cyber governance and electoral processes, marking a departure from the policies of the previous 15-year administration. The Advisory Council is currently reviewing these reforms, including new regulations for Supreme Court judge appointments and amendments to the International Crimes Tribunal Act.
Source: TBS News
