DSA in Bangladesh much better than Western countries: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the Digital Security Act in Bangladesh is much simpler compared to the similar laws in other civilised countries, including the United States.

“Our law is simpler than in other countries,” she told Voice of America Bangla Service in Washington on Monday.

She, however, said that since the DSA is being discussed so much her government will looki into and examine similar digital security laws in the United States of America, the United Kingdom, European countries and beyond to know how it is applied in those countries and what are the penalties.

“We are bringing forward the American law to see what is there. We will see that,” she said hinting that Bangladesh will incorporate if there is a harsher punishment than in Bangladesh’s law and address if any lacking.

The prime minister, now in the US, made the remarks when the VoA journalist wanted to know how Bangladesh will proceed regarding amendments to the Digital Security Act.

She said if someone is creating social unrest or disrupting people’s security or imparting militancy training or learning bomb making on line then what is the justification that no action can be taken against that person.

“The issue is that if someone, known as a journalist, tries to steal a file in one of my ministries, should that person be rewarded? If you do it in a civilised country, what action is taken against that person?” the prime minister said in countering the question.

Despite being caught red-handed the said journalist was made a hero and awarded, she wondered.

“While the whole world was in total disarray due to Covid-19, when we were discussing buying vaccines, the officer caught the file thief directly. Then it turned out that the person became a hero and was rewarded. But it doesn’t seem so easy to me. If it were in any other country, developed country or civilised country, then what would they do? the prime minister posed the question.

She said the digital security law exists not only in Bangladesh, but it is in all countries of the world, it is also in America and England.

A greater number of people is using internet and mobile phones more than ever. Out of Bangladesh’s 17 crore people, 12-13 crore people use SIMs, she said.

“There are so many things... so many... online teaching how to make bombs, how to kill people, how to do things or things like that, these need to be stopped. I think this should be given special attention internationally. Action needs to be taken against those who teach criminality, to show various social injustices, where everyone from small children to teenagers (see teenagers),” said the prime minister

However, she said, they are quite vigilant about the Digital Security Act. “Even our country had a law earlier, when military dictators were in power, that could arrest any journalist without a summon. After I (Awami League government) came, I stopped them and simplified them.”

“So here, it is not the case that journalists are being harassed. Anyone here, if they do any anti-social activities or any provocative activities, any militant activities, generally action is taken against them,” she added.

Extradition of Tarique depends on UK govt

The prime minister said her government is trying to bring back home BNP’s convicted acting chairman Tarique Rahman to implement the court verdict, but it all depends on the UK government.

“He is there (UK). Whoever the criminal is, they should be brought back and their sentence should be carried out. We are making our efforts in this regard. But now it totally depends on the British government. Will they keep him there or allow the punishment to be executed? It totally depends on them,” she said.

The prime minister said initiative is always there from the Bangladesh government side. She mentioned a number of cases including money laundering, arms smuggling, corruption and also the 21 August grenade attack. “Many more such cases are pending against them.”

Hasina said Tarique left the country during the caretaker government period signing a bond. “So we want him to be brought back as soon as possible to implement the verdict in this case.”

Earlier, the VoA journalist wanted to know whether the prime minister had any discussions with the UK government about taking Tarique back to Bangladesh.

In reply, the PM said, “Of course. At one point we repeatedly contacted the UK government.”