The University Teachers' Network, consisting of teachers from different universities in Bangladesh and abroad has demanded the repeal of the Digital Security ACT (DSA), and the withdrawal of the case against Prothom Alo journalist Samsuzzaman Shams.
They have also demanded justice for Naogaon land office employee Sultana Jasmine, who died in Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) custody last week, said a press release issued on Monday.
The statement was signed by a total of 48 university teachers from all across the globe.
Regarding DSA, the statement said when the law was enacted, the government of Bangladesh repeatedly assured that it will not be used against journalists.
“However, it has been most widely used against professionals, especially journalists, who are among the most vulnerable groups. It has also been extensively applied to users of social media. The government has implemented this law to instill fear in the minds of critics as well,” the statement reads.
According to the Ain o Salish Kendra, 56 journalists have been subjected to torture and harassment in the three months from January to March this year. Bangladesh's position on the Global Press Freedom Index is now 162 out of 180 countries, the statement reads.
“After coming to power, this government has never improved its ranking on the index,” it adds.
Regarding Jasmine's death, the statement said: “The world now knows about the human rights violations of RAB and a western country has imposed sanctions on former and current officials of this organization. Despite this, incidents of human rights violations by RAB have not stopped. Citizens are still being oppressed.”
The statement was signed by Dr Rushad Faridi, assistant professor, Department of Economics, DU, Kazi Shusmin Afsana, assistant professor, RU, Mahbub Murshid, professor, Islamic University and others.
