The Bangladeshi government should “review and reform” the proposed Digital Security Act (DSA) instead of enacting the law in its current form, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Friday. The cabinet approved a draft law, intended to replace the Information and Communication Technology Act (ICT) on January 29, 2018. According to HRW, the draft – which is even broader than the law – seeks to replace and violates the country’s international obligation to protect freedom of speech. Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said: “The proposed law totally undermines the government’s claim that it has no intention of curbing the right to freedom of speech. “The Digital Security Act is utterly inconsistent with Bangladesh’s obligation to protect freedom of speech,” said Adams.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 23, 2018 09:11 UTC