The controversial Digital Security Act once again came under fire following writer Mushtaq’s death in jail who was detained under the law.
Following the uproar over writer Mushtaq Ahmed’s death in detention, Law Minister Anisul Huq has said measures are being taken so that no one can be arrested under the Digital Security Act, 2018 until police investigate the allegations first.
“Police cannot lodge a case right away. If there are any allegations, police will investigate first and accept the case accordingly,” the law minister told BBC Bangla on Tuesday.
The Digital Security Act yet again came under fire after writer Mushtaq Ahmed, who was arrested under the act, died in Kashimpur jail in Gazipur on Thursday. About the ongoing misuse of law, the law minister said they are taking measures to prevent it. The government is trying to ensure that no one can be arrested prior to police investigation, the minister said.
Anisul told BBC Bangla: “We have made a provision on bail by following the principle, which is being followed internationally even in the subcontinent.” Also Read – Mushtaq’s death: Civil society condemns police crackdown on peaceful protests. “We are discussing the matter. When all the laws are made, it goes through trial and error,” said the minister. “The fact is whether there is any abuse or misuse, we will take action to stop this,” he said.
The minister added that they were in talks with the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) office and said he would discuss the matter with them. “We are comparing it with the rest of the world. We are working on how to develop a checks and balances system for any misuse or abuse, and how this can be contained within the law,” added Anisul.
The comments came from the law minister a day after a number of activists of the left-leaning student organizations took positions on the street near the secretariat and staged demonstrations after being barred from marching forward.
They attempted to lay siege to the Home Ministry over the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed in prison.
During the demonstrations, they also demanded the release of cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore and their arrested fellows as well as abolition of the Digital Security Act (DSA).
