Gano Forum President Kamal Hossain, who now leads a political platform styled the ‘Jatiya Oikya Prokriya’, has called the government to scrap the Digital Security Act 2018 to ensure freedom of expression and press.
Referring to Section 43 of the law, he said it authorises police to search, seize and arrest anyone without a warrant, which poses the risk of abusing the law.
On Sept 20, the parliament passed The Digital Security Bill 2018.
Journalists and rights activists expressed concerns over the law, saying it was passed without addressing the issues they raised concern. Newspaper editors denounced the law.
Speaking at the party’s central committee meeting in Dhaka, Kamal also demanded the formation of ‘neutral’ polls-time administration, dissolution of parliament before election schedule and reconstitution of the election commission.
“A national unity has been formed with demands for a fair election, rule of law and democracy”, he said and urged all to spread this unity to districts, Upazilas and villages across the country.
On Sept 22, Dr Kamal Hossain-led Jatiya Oikya Prokriya along with Bikapla Dhara chief Dr Badruddoza Chowdhury-led Jukto Front formally announced the journey of a “greater national unity” to ensure “functional democracy” in the country through a credible election in a citizens’ rally, which was joined by senior BNP leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir.