Foreign minister briefs diplomats on Digital Security Act

The government on Sunday briefed the foreign diplomats on the newly enacted Digital Security Act-2018 amid calls from various sections for amendment to some of its sections.

Foreign minister AH Mahmood Ali and law minister Anisul Huq briefed the diplomats at State Guesthouse Padma that started from 4:00pm, a foreign ministry official told UNB.

State minister for foreign affairs, M Shahriar Alam, and foreign secretary M Shahidul Haque were also present.

It could not be known whether the government assured the diplomats of bringing any change in the law in line with international standards.

The much-talked-about 'Digital Security Bill, 2018' was passed in parliament on 19 September and president Abdul Hamid assented to the bill making it a law on 8 October.

The Editors' Council will form a human chain in front of the National Press Club on 15 October, demanding amendment to nine sections of the Act.

They said sections 8, 21, 25, 28, 29, 31, 32, 43, and 53 of the Digital Security Act must be amended appropriately to safeguard the freedom of media and freedom of speech.

The human chain, which was earlier postponed at the request of the information minister, will be formed at 11:00am on 15 October.