Bangladesh: New cyber law proposes life term for propaganda against Sheikh Mujibur Rahman
In a sweeping cyber law reform, Bangladesh proposed on Monday to make propaganda against its Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman or the War of Liberation punishable with life term and a fine of Taka one crore.
In Short
- Bangladesh government on Monday approved a comprehensive cyber law.
- Propaganda against War of Liberation or Mujibur Rahman shall attract life term.
- Involvement in cyber terrorism made punishable with 14-year jail term.
Bangladesh government on Monday approved a very stringent draft law, which may attract life imprisonment and a fine of Taka one crore for criticizing its Father of the Nation, Bangbandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The draft law got cabinet nod in meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said that primary aim of the new law is to check cyber crime.
"As per the draft law, if anybody spreads false propaganda against the War of Liberation and its spirit or Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman or matters relating to the War of Liberation using electronic media, he/she shall be punishable with a jail term of minimum three years, which may extend up to life imprisonment and/or a fine of Taka one crore or both," Alam said.
14-YEAR JAIL-TERM FOR CYBER CRIME
The Cabinet Secretary said that under the new law, if anybody attacks or hacks secure information infrastructure, like Biman Cyber Management, the offender shall be punishable with a minimum of two-year jail term which may extend up to 14-year imprisonment and/or a fine of Taka one crore or both.
Alam said that the draft law was formulated to replace Sections 54, 55, 56 and 57 of the Information and Communication Technology (Amendment) Act, 2013 in order to curb cyber terrorism among other cyber crimes that could cause immense damage to the country financially and administratively.
Once the new law is passed and implemented, crimes committed using computer, mobile or any digital device, would attract imprisonment for minimum two years, which may extend up to five years and/or a fine of Taka three lakhs or both.
TACKLING CYBER TERRORISM
Cyber terrorism is on rise as terror outfits tend to use social media for brainwashing gullible youths and recruiting them to their fold. The new Bangladeshi law has proposed a jail term of maximum 14 years and a fine of Taka one crore for any connection with cyber terrorism.
Alam said that cyber terrorism affected the unity and solidarity of Bangladesh and affected its relation with other countries. The new law would help bettering Bangladesh's relation with other countries.
OTHER CRIMES COVERED IN THE LAW
The new law intends to deal with other common cyber crimes making the punishment harsher. Under the new law, violating secrecy shall invite a punishment of up to two years of jail term and/or a fine of Taka two lakhs.
Pornography shall be punishable with a jail term of two years, which may be extended up to ten years and a fine of Taka ten lakhs.
Defamation and hurting religious sentiments shall be punishable with a two-month's imprisonment, which may be extended up to two years and/or a fine of Taka two lakhs.
Creating enmity and disturbing law and order shall be punishable with a maximum jail term of 7 years and/or a fine of Taka seven lakhs.