The Forum for Freedom of Expression Bangladesh (FExB) on Thursday called upon the interim government to immediately repeal the Cyber Security Act and replace it with democratic, humane, people-friendly, and participatory laws and policies.
The Forum made this demand during a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital.
Speakers at the press conference urged the government to cancel all cases filed under the repressive Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006, Digital Security Act, 2018, and Cyber Security Act, 2023. They also demanded the release of individuals imprisoned under these laws.
The Forum emphasised that the Cyber Security Act cannot be amended and must be repealed entirely. They criticized the process of formulating the law, which they described as illegal and lacking public participation.
Saleem Samad, the general secretary of FExB, stated that the Cyber Security Act was proposed without involving the public and was hastily converted into law.
Other speakers at the press conference included Khairuzzaman Kamal (Treasurer of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists), Dr Syeda Irene Jaman (Secretary General of PEN International Bangladesh Centre), Rezaur Rahman Lenin, and Rezoan Islam.
Source: BSS