Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in the Bangladeshi government on the compliance of that country's new digital security legislation with international human rights law.

The Digital Security Act (DSA) was passed by the Bangladesh Parliament in 2018. Local and international human rights groups raised serious concerns about its broad and vague provisions, granting law enforcement authorities extensive powers to police the online space. The DSA is widely viewed as a means of suppressing opposition and limiting freedom of speech.

In May 2021, the British High Commissioner in Dhaka highlighted concerns to the Bangladesh Law Minister and the International Adviser to the Prime Minister about the sweeping powers of the DSA, which continue to pose challenges for independent and credible media and civil society in Bangladesh. In July, the Deputy High Commissioner reiterated UK concerns to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He also urged Bangladesh to focus on improving the conditions for a free and independent media and the protection of human rights. We continue to work with like-minded partners and urge the Government of Bangladesh to ensure that the DSA is in compliance with international human rights law.