Bangladesh set to recognise internet access as civil right

DHAKA : The interim govt, headed by Muhammad Yunus , is set to finalise an ordinance within a week that will abolish nine controversial provisions of the cyber security act-2023, including one related to the liberation war and father of the nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman .

One of the provisions abolished during the drafting of the new ordinance is punishment for carrying out any “hateful, misleading or defamatory propaganda” against the liberation war, the spirit of the liberation war, Mujibur Rahman, the national anthem, or the national flag.” Law adviser Asif Nazrul said this provision had often been misused in the past to “harass” people.

At a meeting held Tuesday, the council of advisers approved the draft of the new ordinance, titled ‘Cyber Surokkha Adhyadesh-2025 (cyber protection ordinance-2025), fulfilling the interim govt’s promise to repeal the cyber security act-2023. Once vetted by the law ministry, the ordinance is expected to be formally gazetted and enforced within a week.

Nazrul said the nine abolished provisions had accounted for 95 per cent of all cases previously filed under the 2023 act.

These cases will be automatically cancelled once the new ordinance comes into effect. “When we first took office, we pledged to repeal the previous cyber security act and replace it with amodern law,” he said.

For the first time, internet access will be officially recognized as a civil right in Bangladesh. The ordinance also clearly defines and criminalises online sexual harassment and the abuse of women and children. Apart from targeted abuse and hate speech, the ordinance removes provisions that penalise general opinions or speech.