Bangladesh: Journalists protest in Dhaka planned for Sep. 29 postponed /update 1

Event

The Bangladesh Editors' Council was planning on holding a protest outside the National Press Club in Dhaka on Saturday, September 29. However, the protest has been postponed to an unspecified date to facilitate negotiations with the government. Journalists, media personnel, and rights activists intended to protest the recent passage of the Digital Security Act 2018. Calls for further such protests cannot be excluded should the negotiations not be successful.  

Context

The Digital Security Act 2018 was passed on September 19. Journalists and rights groups claim that the bill could be used to limit freedom of speech and responsible journalism. Under the new law, individuals can face seven to 14 years in prison and fines for illegally accessing or destroying importation information related to state affairs. Critics also claim that a section of the bill allows the police to search, seize, and arrest anyone without a warrant.

Advice

Individuals in Dhaka are advised to avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.