SANGSAD BHABAN, Sept 13, 2023 (BSS) - Cyber Security Bill, 2023 passed today 
in the Jatiya Sangsad in an amended form amid huge reaction of the opposition 
in the parliament as the law will hamper the freedom of speech which is 
guided by the constitution of the country.
 
State Minister for Information Communication and Technology (ICT)Zunaid Ahmed 
Palak moved the bill which was unanimously passed by voice votes in the House 
with Deputy Speaker Shamsul Huq Tuku in the chair.
 
Earlier, the cabinet at its recent meeting gave the final approval to the 
draft of Cyber Security Act, 2023 which will replace the existing Digital 
Security Act. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting at Prime Minister's 
Office in the city.
 
"In the draft law, the offenses under four sections - 17, 19, 27 and 33, have 
been made non-bailable," said the ICT state minister while placing the bill.
 
Replying to a query, he said the trial procedure of the ongoing cases filed 
under the Digital Security Act (DSA) will be run following the same law.

Citing different media reports including the Transparency International 
Bangladesh (TIB), opposition lawmaker Fakhrul Imam of Mymensingh-8 expressed 
concern over the draft act and said the bill has been placed only for 
changing its name but the matter of concerned on the law would remain same in 
the proposed act.

Opposing the enactment of the law, opposition lawmaker Barrister Shamim 
Haider Patwary of Gaibandha-1 said "the enactment of the law will hamper the 
freedom of speech as per the section 42 of the act while the national 
constitution believe in the spirit of freedom of thinking, freedom of speech 
and freedom of press.

"The new act literally has reduced the punishment but the particular person 
must have to get sentence", he added. Some 357 journalists have been arrested 
in the last four years under the digital security act while the proposed law 
has no major change compare to the earlier one, said Pir Fazlur Rahman of 
Sunamganj-4.

Raising objection on particular section of the new law, Jatiya Party lawmaker 
said section 25,28 and 31 of the proposed law is a barrier to the freedom of 
press.

The section 42 of the law must have to be null and void as the accused person 
will not get bail under the act, said Hafizuddin Ahmed of Thakurgaon-3. "The 
amendment of the digital security act is nothing but replacing old liquor in 
new bottle", said Gano Forum lawmaker Mokabbir Khan of Sylhet-1.

A police official has an authority to arrest a journalist under section 42 of 
the proposed act, said opposition lawmaker Mujibul Huq Chunnu of Kishorganj-
3.

Terming the proposed bill as liberal and futuristic, the ICT state minister 
said the proposed law has been amended drastically and it is necessary for 
the future development of the country.