Death of prominent critic stirs free speech protests
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Protesters blocked a busy intersection in Bangladesh’s capital Friday to protest the death in prison of a writer and commentator who was arrested on charges of violating a sweeping digital security law that critics say stifles freedom of expression.
Mushtaq Ahmed, 53, was arrested in Dhaka in May last year for making comments on social media that criticized the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. He had been denied bail at least six times.
It was not immediately clear how Ahmed died on Thursday. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said Friday that an investigation would follow.
Hundreds of protesters gathered near Dhaka University’s campus while many others took to social media to voice their anger. They demanded repeal of the law and shouted “Justice, justice, we want justice!”
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International urged Bangladesh to investigate the case. The New Yorkbased Committee to Protect Journalists also demanded the government cancel the security act and probe Ahmed’s death.
Police have said Ahmed attempted to tarnish the image of the nation and spread confusion.
The 2018 Digital Security Act includes a jail sentence of up to 14 years for any propaganda or campaign against the country’s independence war, its founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the national anthem or flag. It also says a person could be jailed for up to 10 years for destroying communal harmony or creating unrest or disorder.