Speakers demanded privacy and data protection law in the national convention

PRESS RELEASE

Speakers demanded privacy and data protection law in the national convention

[Dhaka, 11 February 2012] Speakers in the national convention on ‘Right to Privacy and Data Protection’ called the government to enact a privacy and data protection law to secure privacy rights and personal data.  The convention was organized by rights based organizations VOICE and Privacy International, in association with Bangladesh ICT Journalist Forum (BIJF) Bangladesh Manobadhikar Sangbadik Forum (BMSF), Campaign for Good Governance (SUPRO), Campaign on Citizen’s Right to Information, EquityBD, Media Watch and Somewhere in…blog at the CIRDAP conference auditorium  on 11 February 2012.

Justice (Retd) Jolam Rabbani, presided over the convention while he stated, everyone wants to have the protection of their privacy. A fresh law has to be formed to defend privacy rights, assured by article 43 of Bangladesh constitution. He also mentioned that before making the law, the definition of personal information should be made more specific considering the national context and spirit. He also urged to form tribunal in all divisional cities in the country to protect people’s right to privacy and data protection.

Syed Marghub Morshed, former chairman, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), states that protecting individual’s personal information has become more crucial than ever before. Privacy is essential for enabling individuals to express themselves freely. But the existing legal framework does not fully recognize the right to privacy and data protection. He emphasized on the critical awareness of the mass people regarding this issue.

Mahmudur Rahman Manna, former organizing secretary, Bangladesh Awami League, expressed his vigilant views concerning privacy rights prevailing in Bangladesh. He told that there must have a clear demarcation line between privacy rights and right to information so that the laws do not overlap and create bewilderment while dealing the issues. He also emphasized on the necessity of a nationwide campaign for awareness of the citizens so that the process can be more participatory. “Both security and privacy can adequately and simultaneously be ensured if we can determine them evidently” he added.
 
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh, was of the opinion that Right to Information Act partially includes privacy rights. So we have to be watchful while drafting a privacy law so that overlapping can be avoided. He warned about the probable misuse of privacy rights by miscreants saying “even privacy can also be compromised within a certain limit if the security issue emerges as crucial.” 
 
Simon Davies from Privacy International said that protecting privacy is now a challenge all over the world. Though Europe and North America enjoys privacy, governments of those territories too sometimes take security measures that infringe the privacy. He also said privacy issue is gradually getting popular in East Europe, Africa and Asia making it more global. He also expressed that enacting a suitable law is not enough; rather to focus on its implementation is imperative. He also mentioned that even for the interest of economy, Bangladesh should formulate privacy law.

Monjurul Ahsan Bulbul, editor in chief and CEO of Boishaki Television criticized the phone taping law imposed through an amendment brought in 2006. He told that Telephone Taping Law confronts privacy rights and hence violates human rights. He added state and private agencies should have a legal limit of seeking information from individuals. Since communication surveillance, such as mobile and email interceptions, violate right to privacy, he urged government to withdraw or limit the intelligence agencies’ authority over the personal communication of individuals.  “Protection of personal information is important for the safety of human rights” he added.

Eric King, researcher from Privacy International emphasized on protecting privacy and personal data citing some examples of violation. He told that since the states and their concerned agencies have control over all the technologies, especially information technology, it is the responsibility of the respective governments to protect their people from intrusion and arbitration in their private life. 

Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, executive director of VOICE, while moderating the convention said, privacy rights and right to information never confront. According to Right to information Act, everyone has the right to get information about the all the aspects of the state agencies and organs only other than the issues that have concerns related to national security or public interest; but no one has the right to intervene one’s personal information unless (s)he willingly discloses them. He termed freedom of expression as the ‘Right to express oneself in accordance with his/her own choice and option’ adding, “Everyone should have the freedom   to opt whether or not to make personal information public.” He also said, no one including public and private organizations and agencies, should have the right to any interception and/or surveillance of email, messaging, telephony involving recording the conversations of clients’ messages. He urged to formulate privacy and data protection law mentioning that privacy is needed to ensure security while it is necessary to build a democratic nation.

Among others, Uma Chowdhury, director of SUPRO, Zakir Hossain, director of Nagorik Uddyog, Kawsaruddin, president of BIJF, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, convener of EquityBD, Khairuzzaman Kamal of BMSF, Ferdousi Jana and Arild Klokkerhaug from Somewherein…blog also spoke in the occasion.