Ordinance scraps controversial sections of draconian CSA

Nine draconian sections of the controversial Cyber Security Act (CSA) used for clampdown on free speeches and dissident voices during the previous regime are now gone.

The council of advisers of the post-uprising government Tuesday approved 'The Cyber Security Ordinance 2025 amending the widely criticised CSA 2023.

"Some 95 per cent of the CSA cases filed under these nine sections will automatically stand cancelled after the publication of the ordinance through gazette notification this week," said Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul while briefing the press on the decisions of the reigning council.

These sections of the CSA enacted by the previous regime to replace the Digital Security Act stipulated speeches and contents against Sheikh Mujib, against the national flag and the liberation war punishable and non-bailable offences.

During the now-deposed previous Awami League regime, these sections of the CSA were used to repress and harass opposition, specially journalists and civil-society members, it is stated to justify the abrogation.

The meeting, held at the Chief Adviser's Office (CAO) in Dhaka with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair, also amended the civil law and decided on the longest Eid holiday for early next month.

The cyber-security ordinance will come into immediate effect after the gazette notification.

"In the ordinance, access to internet has been recognised as civic rights for the first time," the adviser said, adding that online gambling has been banned and repression and sexual harassment of children and women on cyberspace have been recognised as punishable offences.

However, posting contents on repression and sexual harassment of women and children and spreading religious hatred, which exacerbates violence, have been identified as punishable offences under the ordinance, the law adviser said.

He said committing crimes using artificial intelligence has been recognised as offences for the first time in South Asia.

Dr Asif says in the amended provisions bail is included and a court can reject a case before the filing of charge sheet of it finds no merit in the litigation.

"We have gone through huge consultation with civil- society members for finalising the amendment," the law professor-turned functionary of the interim government told the journalists, adding that the ordinance will be gazetted after the vetting by the law ministry soon.

He also disclosed that under the new rules, a removed content can be restored in 72 hours if the court finds the content does not violate CSA rules.

And the authorities must disclose the reason why they removed the content after the removal.

The law adviser said the council of advisers also approved amendments to the Code of Civil Procedure for quick disposal of civil cases.

Under the amendment the plaintiffs need not read out their written statements in the court as it was found that in some cases it took a good number of hearing sessions covering two years to complete the readout.

And, according to the amendment, a judge has to follow some rules for adjournment of hearings.

It also has provision for issuance of summons through SMS messages.

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were present at the press briefing.

Mr Shafiq said the government rejected the committee for initiating an LNG port project

Mr Shafiq said the council also decided to extend the Eid-ul-Azha holiday to 10 days from June 5 to June 14.

However, all government offices will remain open on two upcoming Saturdays on May 17 and May 24, to make up for lost work.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com