Amnesty voices concern over 3 laws 

Amnesty International has warned that three recently proposed or enacted laws in Bangladesh could perpetuate human rights violations despite government pledges of institutional reform.

In a letter dated October 26, the rights organisation urged Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister to bring the Cyber Protection (Amendment) Act 2026, the Prevention and Redress of Enforced Disappearances Act 2026 and the proposed Special Response Battalion (SRB) Act 2026 into line with international human rights standards.

The letter followed a September meeting between Amnesty’s secretary general and the minister on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Amnesty said the proposed cyber amendments raised concerns over freedom of expression, warning that vaguely defined offences such as defamation, insult, harassment, misinformation and rumour-mongering could be used against journalists, human rights defenders, political opponents and government critics.

It cited the past use of the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006, Digital Security Act 2018 and Cyber Security Act 2023 to restrict expression.

The organisation also criticised Section 8(2), which would expand the authority to remove or block online content on grounds including national security, public order, defamation and disrespect towards the state. Removing the requirement for tribunal approval within three days would weaken judicial oversight, it said. With penalties of up to 10 years in prison and Tk40 lakh in fines, the amendments risk enabling intimidation. Amnesty called for their withdrawal.

While welcoming the enactment of the disappearance law, Amnesty said it contained significant gaps. It called for a broader definition of victims, removal of provisions allowing arrests to be concealed on national security grounds and abolition of the death penalty. It also warned that trials in absentia could undermine fair-trial guarantees and that punishment for false disappearance allegations could deter families from seeking justice.