The demands for the repeal of the Digital Security Act (DSA) grew louder after the death of writer Mushtaq Ahmed, 53, in jail.
Human rights organizations, political activists and protesters demand to abolish the DSA and also demanded the immediate release of people who were arrested under this draconian act.
Earlier on February 27, SHUJAN (Citizens for Good Governance), a Dhaka-based NGO, expressed concern over the death of Mushtaq in jail and demanded the scrapping of the DSA.
“Mushtaq was imprisoned for a long time just for his writings. The state cannot avoid responsibility for his death,” said SHUJAN in a statement issued on Saturday.
SHUJAN also called for the release of everyone wrongfully arrested in cases filed under the Digital Security Act, including cartoonist Ahmed Kabir Kishore who has fallen sick in jail and also facing the same charges as Mushtaq.
Besides, in a statement on Saturday, the graft watchdog, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), said the "repressive" Digital Security Act, under which Mushtaq was arrested, should be abolished.
TIB observed that by formulating the DSA, a "fatal weapon" has been handed to the so-called influential quarters to suppress voices of dissent.
TIB also stated that Mushtaq's death proves that the government and state machinery do not have what it takes to tolerate criticism.
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Saturday lambasted the DSA and condemned the death of Mushtaq in Kashimpur jail.
The government is trying to suppress dissenting voices with controversial laws like DSA, said Nagarik Oikya Convener Mahamudur Rahman Manna at a rally in front of the Jatiya Press Club on Saturday.
Thirteen Ambassadors and High Commissioners stationed in Dhaka on February 26 urged the government of Bangladesh to conduct a "swift, transparent, and independent inquiry" into the full circumstances of writer Mushtaq’s death in police custody.
On the other hand, the home ministry on Saturday formed a five-member committee led by its Additional Secretary Tarun Kanti Sikder to investigate Mushtaq's death and submit a report within four working days.
Police sued the seven detained protesters along with 150 unnamed others with 10 charges, including attempted murder of cops, following a clash between policemen in Shahbagh during a torch procession in this regard on February 26.
The seven accused are - Md Tamjid Haider (22), Nozir Amir Chowdhury Joy (27), ASM Tanjimur Rahman (22), Md Akib Ahmed (22), Md Arafat Saad (24), Nazifa Jannat (24) and Joyoti Chakravarty (23).
Earlier on Saturday, a Dhaka court sent them to jail and granted their interrogation by police at the jail gate.
According to the case statement, around 100 to 150 people led by the seven accused brought out a torch procession from Dhaka University's TSC. Besides, the protestors tried to move towards Shahbagh, halting the traffic movement.
Activists of left-leaning student bodies called for nationwide protests and besieging the home ministry on March 1 and a procession towards the Prime Minister's Office on March 3 and they also called for the release of everyone wrongfully arrested in cases filed under the DSA.
Earlier on February 25, Mushtaq died in the high-security Kashimpur jail in Gazipur district who was jailed for allegedly violating the stringent DSA.
Earlier on May 6 last year, Mushtaq Ahmed was arrested under the DSA for his social media comments allegedly criticising the government.
Earlier on July 3 of last year, Article 19, an international organization, expressed grave concern at the recent spate of charges and arrests under the DSA for commenting on social media.
According to Article 19, in the first six months of last year, 113 cases were recorded under the DSA. A total of 208 people were accused in these cases due to mere expression of opinion and 53 of them were journalists.
Article 19 calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those charged under the DSA.
nh/wi
