The Law ministry will soon begin the process of amending the Cyber Security Act (CSA), announced Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul on Sunday.

"The CSA requires amendments, and we will be addressing that," he stated during a meeting organized by the NGO Affairs Bureau and the Right to Information Forum (RIF) at the NGO Bureau office in Agargaon, Dhaka.

The meeting was chaired by NGO Affairs Bureau Director General Md Saidur Rahman, with Cabinet Division Secretary (Coordination and Reform) Md Mahmudul Hossain Khan and ICT Division Secretary Shish Haider Chowdhury also in attendance.

TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, NGO Affairs Bureau Director Md Anowar Hossain, and Hasibur Rahman, Executive Director of the Media and Resources Development Initiative (MRDI), participated as panel discussants, while noted policy analyst Dr. Anonnyo Raihan served as the moderator.

Badiul Alam Majumder, head of the Electoral Reform Commission, contributed to the opening discussion, and RIF convenor Shahin Anam presented the keynote paper.

Dr. Asif Nazrul highlighted that the public lacks awareness about the Right to Information (RTI) compared to other rights, emphasizing that all rights are meaningless without it. He noted that every right is closely tied to RTI.

He stressed that without effective law enforcement, justice, and governance, the information commission and human rights commission lose their significance in a country.

"Those advocating for RTI should also address issues like fair elections, intimidation, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings," he said.

Dr. Nazrul criticized the previous government for transforming the judiciary into an instrument of oppression and the legislature into a forum for corruption.

"We must be vocal about these matters," he asserted.

He also pointed out that the RTI Act was enacted under the previous administration, which simultaneously introduced laws undermining its spirit.

"It’s impossible to enforce any law without addressing good governance and law and justice. We must advocate for democracy, the people's voting rights, and the independence of the judiciary," he stated.

Dr. Asif Nazrul concluded, "We will always oppose wrongdoing and support righteousness. I hope civil society will adhere to this principle and work together to build a new Bangladesh, emerging from the student-led movement."

Badiul Alam remarked that although the fascist government has fallen, its remnants continue to be active. "They are still harassing people in various ways, and this must be stopped immediately."

Iftekharuzzaman added that ordinary citizens are reluctant to seek essential information from government agencies due to fear of harassment.

"We need to foster an environment that encourages people to seek information," he emphasized.

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