Politician and activist Tasnuva Jabeen has sharply criticised the proposed amendments to the Cyber Security Act, accusing the government of retreating from its commitments to protect dissent and freedom of expression.

“Within five months, the government is breaking its own promises and moving backwards,” Jabeen said, arguing that the proposed provisions could expose citizens to prosecution for legitimate criticism of government policies and ministers.

Jabeen, an organiser of Alternatives, a political platform launched earlier this year by former interim government adviser Mahfuz Alam, was speaking at a program titled “Freedom of Expression Under Threat Again: How Much Does the Amended Cyber Law Mirror the DSA?” held at BDBL bhaban on Monday.

She singled out the proposed penalties for misinformation and rumours, which she said could carry up to 10 years in prison, contrasting them with a two-year punishment for offences involving religious hatred or violence.

“The law is ready for you, and the punishment is ready,” she said, warning that vaguely defined concepts such as defamation, humiliation and bullying could be applied to criticism of government decisions.

She cited the recent increase in fuel prices as an example, questioning whether citizens criticising the decision or individual ministers could know if their comments might subsequently be treated as defamatory.

Jabeen also invoked Bangladesh’s experience with the Digital Security Act, saying its use against ordinary citizens had created a climate of fear under the previous government.

“Bangladesh has not forgotten the trauma of the Digital Security Act,” she said.

She argued that the amendments contradicted the BNP’s earlier commitments to repeal laws used to suppress dissent and urged the government to withdraw them.

“I hope better judgment will prevail within the government,” Jabeen said, calling for the Cyber Security Act passed in April to remain unchanged.

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