Government highly aware of citizens' freedom of speech and personal protection: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said the government is highly aware of citizens' freedom of speech and personal protection.

He said, "Under Article 39 of the Constitution, every citizen has the right to expression and constructive criticism, subject to reasonable restrictions. However, constructive criticism and character assassination for political purposes are not the same."

The Home Minister said these things during a courtesy call by a delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) at his office room at the Ministry of Home Affairs at the Secretariat today noon.

The delegation, led by IRI's Resident Programme Director John Fluharty, included MP Helen Jerin Khan, IRI's Technical Adviser Rukhsana Haque and young politicians and IRI trainees Chamun Faria and Mohammad Prince.

The meeting discussed in detail the prevention of cybercrime and online bullying and the proposed Cyber Protection (Amendment) Act 2026.

During the meeting, IRI's Resident Programme Director briefed the Home Minister about their ongoing programmes on building youth leadership and violence-free political practice.

He said Bangladesh's young society and political activists are currently being subjected to harassment and defamation due to cyberbullying and organised disinformation. He called for a consensus policy and legal protection for both the government and opposition parties in this regard.

The Home Minister assured the delegation that the government is highly aware of citizens' freedom of speech and personal protection.

Salahuddin Ahmed said that over the past two months, opinions have been taken from the international community, media personalities, senior editors and civil society stakeholders regarding the amendment of the proposed Cyber Protection (Amendment) Act. The main objective of the law will be to restore decency in the digital space, protect women and youth from cyberbullying and at the same time ensure the professional protection of journalists so that no misuse of the law occurs.

The minister said the government will cordially accept positive suggestions from international and local stakeholders to consolidate a violence-free political environment and digital security.

Additional Secretary of the Political and External Affairs Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs Dr Ziauddin Ahmed and Joint Secretary of the Political-1 branch Rebeka Khan, among others, were present at the meeting.