Case against satire and dissent an assault on free expression: ARTICLE 19
ARTICLE 19 has said it stands in full solidarity with the targeted platforms, cartoonists, satirists, and digital creators
ARTICLE 19, an international human rights organisation, has strongly condemned the criminal case against 18 individuals, the satirical platform Earki, and at least 15 Facebook pages, on allegations of "cyber harassment".
Dhaka University Central Students' Union (Ducsu) Vice President Abu Shadik Kayem filed the case on 1 December, alleging online defamation and cyberbullying targeting female leaders.
"We urge the union vice president to withdraw the case, and call on the Bangladesh government to protect freedom of expression online," ARTICLE 19 said in a statement today (9 December).
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"Satire, memes, cartoons, and critical commentary – whether humorous, political, or institutional – are fully protected forms of expression under Article 39 of the Constitution of Bangladesh and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Bangladesh is a state party," reads the statement.
The rights organisation stated that international freedom of expression standards are clear that criminal sanctions should never be used to suppress satire or criticism of public officials.
"The criminalisation of content-based expression is disproportionate, unnecessary, and incompatible with democratic norms, and risks creating a chilling effect across the digital civic space, encouraging widespread self-censorship among journalists, artists, satirists, and citizens," ARTICLE 19 observed.
Expressing concern, it said this case directly contradicts the democratic aspirations and public demands for freedom that emerged from the July 2024 mass uprising, as well as the interim government's stated commitments to protect fundamental rights, restore civic space, and prevent the abusive use of digital laws.
"Student leaders – particularly those holding senior institutional positions – must demonstrate restraint and uphold democratic values, rather than resort to criminal law as a tool of intimidation," it said.
ARTICLE 19 called for the immediate withdrawal of the case against the 15 online platforms including Earki.
It also urged the authorities to prevent the continued misuse of cyber, defamation, and harassment laws against satire and online expression.
ARTICLE 19 said it stands in full solidarity with the targeted platforms, cartoonists, satirists, and digital creators who continue to exercise their right to freedom of expression despite escalating threats of criminal prosecution.
The complaint filed by Ducsu Vice President Shadik Kayem listed nine pages and accounts, including Ducsu Konthoshor, BongoGraph, Amar DUCSU, The Nationalist Data, Katherkella, Roumari, DU Insiders (with its multiple name changes), earki and BotGPT, along with three personal profiles: Enamul Haque Shanto, Ashiqur Rahman and Saif Al Mahmud.
Following widespread criticism, Shadik Kayem later removed the name of the satire page "earki" from the complaint.
