Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today said the proposed Cyber Security (Amendment) Act 2026 will help restore decency in the digital space, protect women and young people from cyberbullying and ensure professional safeguards for journalists while preventing any misuse of the law,

"The government is highly conscious of citizens' freedom of expression and personal security," he said.

He made the remarks during a courtesy meeting with a delegation of the International Republican Institute (IRI) at his office at the Bangladesh Secretariat.

The minister said every citizen has the right to express opinions and make constructive criticism subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 39 of the Constitution.

"But constructive criticism is not the same as character assassination or abusive language for political purposes," he said.

Salahuddin said the government has been consulting international and local stakeholders, including media personalities, senior editors and civil society representatives, for the past two months to further refine the proposed cyber law.

He said the government would welcome positive recommendations from both international and local stakeholders to strengthen digital security and ensure a violence-free political environment.

The minister said this as the meeting discussed measures to prevent cybercrime and online bullying and various aspects of the proposed Cyber Security (Amendment) Act 2026.

The IRI delegation, led by its Resident Programme Director John Fluharty, apprised the minister of its ongoing programmes on youth leadership development and promoting violence-free political practices.

Fluharty said young people and political activists in Bangladesh are increasingly facing harassment and reputational attacks through cyberbullying and organised disinformation.

He called for a consensus-based policy and legal protection for both ruling and opposition political groups.

Helen Zerin Khan, MP and IRI Technical Adviser Ruksana Haque, among others, were present at the meeting.