Dhaka: National Citizens Party (NCP) Chief Coordinator Nasiruddin Patwari has raised concerns over the government's alleged move towards establishing surveillance agreements with India and Israel. During a discussion titled 'SRB, enforced disappearance and cyber law: Human rights violations' at the NCP's central office, Patwari alleged that the government is working behind the scenes on these deals, though they refuse to admit it publicly.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Patwari warned about the echoes of past actions by the previous administration, which had used the Digital Security Act to monitor the digital communications of political figures and citizens. He accused the former government of forming similar surveillance partnerships with foreign powers, including India and Israel, to enhance their security measures.
Patwari urged experts to scrutinize the current government's actions, emphasizing the importance of public awareness regarding any potential agreements. He highlighted the risks to citizens' security if the government seeks access to private digital communications with the help of foreign states, such as India and Israel, raising concerns over citizens' privacy and national security.
The NCP Chief Coordinator stressed that while security is essential, it should not come at the expense of handing over citizens' information to foreign entities. He also highlighted the need for public education on constitutional and legal rights to prevent the misuse of laws as tools of control.
Patwari cited the case of Salahuddin Ahmed to illustrate the lack of accountability and independent investigation into enforced disappearances in Bangladesh. He criticized the reintroduction of similar laws by individuals who were once victims of such incidents.
AB Party Secretary General Asaduzzaman Fuad echoed Patwari's concerns, alleging that the government is utilizing legal provisions to suppress dissent and silence critics on social media. Fuad argued that offensive language should not be criminalized, and current legal actions are weakening societal and state balance.
He also questioned the effectiveness of these restrictions, pointing out that similar tactics under the Awami League government failed to prevent information dissemination by citizen journalists.
The discussion featured several speakers, including NCP Law Affairs Secretary Zahirul Islam Musa, NCP Joint Member Secretary Faridul Haque, Jatiya Narishakti Convener Monira Sharmin, Citizens Coalition co-coordinator Fahim Mashroor, Member of the NCP Political Council Sarwar Tushar, NCP MP from Narayanganj-4 Abdullah Al Amin, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Nabila Idris, and Women's reserved seat MP Tasmia Pradhan.