ARTICLE 19 strongly condemns the criminal case against 18 individuals, the satirical platform Earki, and at least 15 Facebook pages, on allegations of so-called ‘cyber harassment/defamation’, which was filed by Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) Vice President Abu Shadik Kayem on 1 December 2025. Although he did not cite any specific law or penal section in the written complaint, the matter is likely to fall under the newly-enacted Cyber Protection Ordinance 2025, which replaced the Digital Security Act 2018 and the Cyber Protection Act 2023 — both of which were widely criticised for being tools of harassment against dissenting voices, political opponents, and to suppress freedom of expression. We urge the union vice president to withdraw the case, and call on the Bangladesh government to protect freedom of expression online.
The accused include journalists, political activists, members or supporters of political parties – mostly affiliated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party – and students. It is also relevant to note that the complainant is a member of the student wing of the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami political party. Earki is a satirical platform operated by journalist and political satirist Simu Naser, and the case also targets Facebook pages featuring satirical content, memes, and commentary, including of a political nature.
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. 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 is deeply concerned that 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.
ARTICLE 19 therefore calls for the immediate withdrawal of the case against the 15 online platforms including Earki, and urges the authorities to prevent the continued misuse of cyber, defamation, and harassment laws against satire and online expression. ARTICLE 19 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.