Bangladesh
DSA one of the world’s most draconian laws for journalists: US.

DSA one of the world’s most draconian laws for journalists: US

Bangladesh

Daily Bangla Times: The Digital Security Act is one of the world's most draconian laws for journalists, the US Department of State said in a briefing in Washington yesterday.

Vedant Patel, State Department principal deputy spokesperson, said that one of the biggest reasons that Bangladesh fell to 10 places to 162 out of 180 countries in the latest World Press Freedom Index was the Digital Security Act.

The briefing was held shortly after a bilateral meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Bangladesh Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen in Washington.

Patel was responding to a question on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's comments in parliament yesterday about US's idea of democracy and its role in regime changes. He was also asked about a group's "breach" of the offices of Bangla daily Prothom Alo, and them wanting to "harm" the editor.

"As per our assessment, it [DSA] is one of the world's most draconian laws for journalists. And we have made our concerns about this law quite clear. A free press and an informed citizenry are key for any nation and its democratic future, and we are concerned that -- media and content restrictions and the impact that they might have."

Asked on the US's stance on a confrontation between BNP, which is demanding a caretaker government during the national election, and the ruling Awami League's stance that the election should be held under the current constitution, Patel said the US supports the principle of free and fair elections in Bangladesh and around the world, and he was not there to endorse one political candidate or party over another.

"So, let me say two things. First is that we want to and are looking forward to deepening our relationship with Bangladesh. That's why Secretary Blinken is meeting -- had the opportunity to meet with Bangladesh's foreign minister today."