Digital Security Act will be specific: Law minister

Law Minister Anisul Huq today said section 57 of the Information and Communication Technology Act is a hurdle to the freedom of expression.

The government will formulate a new law – Digital Security Act – in which the confusion and ambiguity of Section 57 will be removed, he said.

The draft of the Digital Security Act is now under vetting, the law minister said. “The government will ensure freedom of expression.”

He was briefing reporters at his office after meeting US Ambassador to Dhaka Marcia Bernicat.

He said, he and the US envoy discussed over separate issues including ensuring global security and issues relating to strengthening ties between the two countries.

Replying to a question, the law minister said those who are involved in laundering money can be brought into trial under money laundering prevention act.

Replying to another question, he added he will not comment about the chief justice’s statement over the independence of judiciary and rule of law.

A rough translation of section 57 (1) says: “If any person deliberately publishes or transmits or causes to be published or transmitted in the website or in any other electronic form any material which is false and obscene and if anyone sees, hears or reads it having regard to all relevant circumstances, its effect is such as to influence the reader to become dishonest or corrupt, or causes to deteriorate or creates possibility to deteriorate law and order, prejudice the image of the state or person or causes to hurt or may hurt religious belief or instigate against any person or organisation, then this activity will be regarded as an offence.”

Source: thedailystar