Even seven months after the July uprising, the interim government continues to “kill” the spirit of the July uprising by allowing the filing of cases under the Cyber Security Act, the DSA (Digital Security Act) Victims Network has claimed.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the DSA Victims Network said it believed the government was gradually losing public trust.
It added that despite the mass uprising, the “notorious” Cyber Security Act had not been repealed; instead, new cases were being filed under this law.
The network alleged that rather than halting prosecutions, the government and administration continued to allow the filing of cases under this act and were making arrests without proper investigations.
It highlighted that the repeal of the act and other repressive laws had been one of the key promises of the interim government.
“In August last year, the government had announced its intention to abolish the law. However, despite taking at least four extensions, the law remains in place. On January 21, the law adviser said the legal formalities for repealing the act had been completed by the law ministry, and the announcement would be made once the information and communication technology ministry completed its final steps.
“However, even after nearly one and a half months, the ICT ministry has not completed the necessary procedures, and the law has not been repealed. Moreover, previous cases under the act have not been dismissed; instead, new cases are being filed.”
In light of these concerns, the DSA Victims Network demanded the immediate repeal of all repressive laws, the release of detainees arrested under these laws, compensation for victims and accountability in the legislative process that allows the passage of such repressive measures.
The statement was signed by 28 individuals, including human rights activists, teachers, researchers, lawyers, journalists, Baul artists and students. Notable signatories include photographer Shahidul Alam, DSA Victims Network Convener Golam Mahfuz Joarder, Member Secretary Pritom Das and Supreme Court lawyer Monjila Jhuma.