Home Minister Meets IRI Delegation to Discuss Cybercrime and Online Safety

Home Affairs Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today met with a delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, with discussions focusing on cybercrime, online bullying and the proposed Cyber Security (Amendment) Act 2026.

The IRI delegation, led by Resident Program Director John Fluharty, included Member of Parliament Helen Zerin Khan, IRI Technical Adviser Ruksana Haque, and young politicians and IRI trainees Chamon Faria and Mohammad Prince.

During the meeting, the delegation briefed the minister on IRI’s ongoing programmes aimed at developing youth leadership and promoting non-violent political practices. Fluharty said young people and political activists in Bangladesh are increasingly facing harassment and reputational attacks through cyberbullying and organised misinformation. He called for a consensus-based policy and legal protection for both government and opposition political groups in addressing the issue.

The home minister assured the delegation that the government remains committed to protecting citizens’ freedom of expression and personal security. “Under Article 39 of the Constitution, every citizen has the right to freedom of expression and constructive criticism, subject to reasonable restrictions. However, constructive criticism is not the same as politically motivated character assassination or abusive language,” Salahuddin Ahmed said.

The minister said the government has been consulting international stakeholders, media professionals, senior editors and civil society representatives for the past two months as part of the process of revising the proposed Cyber Security (Amendment) Act. He said the legislation would primarily seek to restore civility in the digital space, protect women and young people from cyberbullying, and ensure professional protection for journalists so that the law cannot be misused.

Salahuddin Ahmed also said the government would welcome constructive recommendations from both international and local stakeholders to strengthen a violence-free political environment and digital security in Bangladesh. Additional Secretary of the Political and Immigration Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs Dr Ziauddin Ahmed and Joint Secretary of the Political-1 Wing Rebekah Khan, among others, were present at the meeting.