Human rights groups urge Bangladesh to reform surveillance laws
A coalition of eight international human rights organisations has called on the Bangladeshi government to undertake comprehensive reforms of its surveillance and interception framework, arguing that existing laws provide broad state powers without adequate judicial oversight, transparency or accountability.
In a joint statement addressed to the Government of Bangladesh, Access Now, Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19, CIVICUS, Fortify Rights, Human Rights Watch, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights and Tech Global Institute expressed concern that the country’s surveillance architecture remains extensive and technologically advanced while lacking sufficient legal safeguards to prevent misuse.
The organisations argued that recent legislative changes weakened protections introduced by the interim administration. While the 2026 amendment ordinance introduced additional procedural safeguards, they said the subsequently adopted Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation (Amendment) Act removed many accountability, transparency and oversight provisions while preserving broad surveillance and interception powers. They also raised concerns about exemptions under the Personal Data Protection Act 2026, which they said could permit extensive state access to personal data on broad national security and public interest grounds.
The statement recommends establishing an independent commission to review surveillance legislation, adopting a new rights-based legal framework governing surveillance technologies, introducing judicial authorisation for surveillance measures, strengthening parliamentary oversight, regulating the procurement of surveillance technologies and narrowing exemptions to data protection rules. The organisations also called for publication of a government review into surveillance technology procurement and for reforms to be developed through consultation with civil society, technical experts and other stakeholders.
The groups said effective national security measures and the protection of fundamental rights are complementary objectives, arguing that future reforms should align Bangladesh’s surveillance framework with international human rights standards, including the principles of legality, necessity and proportionality.
