Several prominent international human rights organisations have formally called on Bangladesh's interim government to immediately withdraw the draft Cyber Protection (Amendment) Act 2026, warning that its broad and punitive provisions could severely undermine fundamental rights, media freedom, and civil liberties across the South Asian nation.

Who Is Demanding the Withdrawal

A joint statement was issued by CIVICUS, the Robert and Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Centre, Front Line Defenders, and South Asians for Human Rights. The signatories expressed grave concern over the bill's scope, arguing that digital security objectives must never come at the cost of constitutionally and internationally protected rights.

'Efforts to enhance digital security should not result in undue restrictions on freedom of expression, access to information, media freedom or other constitutionally and internationally protected rights which are particularly significant for the work of the human rights defenders,' the organisations said in their joint statement.

The Core Concerns: Vague Language and Sweeping Powers

At the heart of the criticism is what the rights bodies describe as dangerously imprecise terminology embedded in the draft law. Terms such as 'rumour', 'misinformation', 'digital defamation', 'humiliation', 'bullying', and 'fake news' are, according to the organisations, 'vague, overly broad and open to subjective interpretation.' They argue that the absence of clear and precise definitions creates significant scope for misapplication and arbitrary enforcement by authorities.

The groups further flagged new offences introduced under the amendment that carry severe penalties — including lengthy prison terms, substantial fines, and provisions permitting pre-trial detention for conduct related to online expression. 'Such provisions raise serious concerns regarding the criminalisation of online expression and the potential for individuals to be criminalised before the accuracy or intent of contested claims can be properly assessed,' the statement noted.

Expanded Blocking Powers and Non-Bailable Offences

Beyond the definitional concerns, the organisations raised alarm over proposed amendments that would expand the number of authorities empowered to seek the blocking of digital content. Certain crimes, they warned, could also be made non-bailable under the revised framework — a step critics argue grants excessive discretion to law enforcement and heightens the risk of selective enforcement and abuse.

Flawed Consultation Process

The rights bodies also challenged the credibility of a government-organised consultation held on 10 September, alleging that Bangladeshi authorities invited only select media professionals while deliberately excluding civil society organisations and human rights defenders from the process. This, they argued, undermines the legitimacy of any amendments emerging from it.

The organisations called for a 'genuine, inclusive and time-bound consultation process' involving human rights defenders, civil society, media professionals, technology experts, legal practitioners, and other stakeholders. 'Such a process is essential to ensure that any amendments are comprehensive, rights-respecting and consistent with Bangladesh's constitutional guarantees and its international human rights obligations and standards,' they stated.

Broader Context: Press Freedom Under Scrutiny

This comes amid sustained international scrutiny of Bangladesh's approach to digital regulation, following years of controversy over the use of earlier cyber legislation to prosecute journalists, activists, and critics. The draft Cyber Protection (Amendment) Act 2026 is seen by rights groups as continuing — and potentially deepening — that pattern. How the Bangladeshi government responds to this coordinated international pressure will signal its intentions toward press freedom and civic space ahead of a critical period in the country's political transition.