Blocking of Facebook widely condemned
Staff Correspondent
Lawyers, journalists and human rights activists on Sunday condemned the government decision blocking the social network Facebook, terming it a threat to the peoples freedom of expression.
They asked the government to lift the blockade on the Facebook immediately, cautioning that such a decision of blocking free flow of information would tarnish the countrys image abroad.
Meanwhile, students of Dhaka University formed a human chain and held a protest rally against the government decision to block access to the popular social network.
It is, of course, a threat to the freedom of expression of the people, said Sarah Hossain, a lawyer and human rights activist, criticising the government decision to block the network used by over a million people in Bangladesh.
She expressed serious concern at the arrest of Mahbub Alam Rodin on charge of uploading satirical images of some political leaders on the Facebook. I do not really understand under whose instruction the government has taken such a decision, Sarah wondered.
Journalist Manzurul Ahsan Bulbul, editor-in-chief of Boishakhi Television, said, For the crime of an individual, the whole network should not have been blocked. The cyber crime should have been dealt with cyber unit of the government using cyber law.
Asked if the incident would adversely affect the countrys international image, Bulbul said, This incident may create some trouble for us abroad as far as the freedom of media is concerned.
Media personality Nadim Quadir said such blockade could not bring about any positive outcome for the society. The Facebook was being used even for professional purposes. But when it is abused, it can temporarily be blocked, he expressed his views, however, hoping that the government would soon withdraw the blockade.
An operator of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, seeking anonymity, said they would withdraw the blockade as early as possible.
Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary general of rights-based organisation Odhikar, mentioned that the government had earlier stopped use of Youtube and now it blocked access to Facebook in the name of cyber crime.
Drawing cartoon or creating caricature is an acceptable satirical means worldwide. The government is trying to control the peoples opinions and their right to freedom of expression slapping blockade on the Facebook.
Expressing concern over the arrest of Rodin, he said the government would have to take permission from the High Court before going to tap any phone calls or access to anybodys personal account on the Internet.
It is a complete violation of human rights and threat to freedom of expression. Different political parties and human rights organisations also condemned the government decision. Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights, Bangladesh Chhatra Moitri and VOICE, a non-government organisation, in separate press releases on Sunday demanded immediate withdrawal of the blockade on Facebook.
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