Sheikh Hasina death sentence: Bangladesh's interim govt now warns media against publishing statements

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina. Filepic

After the court in Bangladesh ordered the death sentence for former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's interim government has now warned all print, electronic and online media outlets to refrain from reporting statements issued by "convicted and fugitive" deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The interim government of Bangladesh also cited concerns over national security and public order.

The National Cyber Security Agency (NCSA) on Monday claimed that Hasina's statements may contain directives or calls capable of inciting ‘violence, disorder and criminal activities' and disrupting social harmony, reported by news agency PTI.

The release by NCSA stated that, "We urge the media to act responsibly in the interest of national security," as quoted by PTI.

The agency further said that "It is deeply concerned that some media organisations were broadcasting and publishing remarks attributed to 'convicted' and 'fugitive' Hasina..."

"Noting that airing or publishing statements from individuals who are both convicted and fugitive violates provisions of the Cyber Security Ordinance," the statement by the agency warned.

Furthermore, the NCSA also said that the authorities are empowered to remove or block content that threatens national integrity, security or public order, promotes ethnic or religious hatred, or directly incites violence."

It further said that using a false identity or illegally accessing systems to spread hate speech, ethnic incitement, or calls for violence is a punishable offence and provides for penalties of up to two years of imprisonment and/or fines of up to Tk 10 lakh.

Emphasising that it respects freedom of the press and expression, the NCSA further urged all the Bangladeshi media houses to "avoid" carrying any "violent, instigating or criminally provocative" statements from convicted individuals and to "remain mindful of their legal obligations", reported PTI.

Hasina, 78, was on Monday sentenced to death in absentia by Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for "crimes against humanity" over her government's brutal crackdown on student-led protests last year.

However, the order, the same as this, was also earlier handed to former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on similar charges. Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been living in India since she fled Bangladesh on August 5 last year in the face of the massive protests.

Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has hailed the verdict, saying the ruling affirmed a fundamental principle: "No one, regardless of power, is above the law."

(With inputs from PTI)