Amnesty International Welcomes Bangladesh Court’s Dismissal of Case Against Photographer Shahidul Alam
Responding to the decision by the Bangladesh High Court to dismiss the case filed in 2018 under the Information and Dialog Technology (ICT) Act against photographer, social activist and amnesty International’s Prisoner of Conscience, Shahidul Alam, amnesty International’s South Asia research Director, Isabelle Lassee, released a statement on Wednesday.
“This outcome for Shahidul Alam was long overdue,” lassee said. “Alam, whom we recognized to be a Prisoner of Conscience while detained, should never have been arrested on charges under the Information and Communication Technology Act in the frist place.He was targeted solely for criticizing the Bangladeshi authorities’ excessive use of force and crackdown on students protesting for safer roads back in 2018.”
Lassee further explained that Alam’s case was emblematic of a broader trend. “Bangladeshi authorities have weaponized legislation such as the ICT Act, repealed in 2018, as well as the Digital Security Act (DSA) and the Cyber Security Act (CSA) replaced by the Cyber Security Ordinance in May 2025, to suppress freedom of expression, particularly targeting government critics.”
The suppression of rights in Bangladesh culminated last year with a brutal crackdown on student protests, with a United Nations estimate of 1,400 people possibly killed in the violence, according to Amnesty International.
“It is indeed imperative that the interim government of Bangladesh course-correct on the systemic and violent repression of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly in the country,” Lassee stated. “A first step would be ensuring that legislation aligns with international human rights law and standards; and by bringing to justice officials suspected of involvement in the excessive use of force against protesters and the ill-treatment of detainees while in custody, including those who give orders. There is no place for such tactics as Bangladesh transitions towards what many hope will be a more equitable, rights-respecting society.”
Amnesty International also called for authorities to provide Alam with access to remedy for the ordeal he underwent while detained for more than 100 days for a speech-related offense, including for the torture he allegedly suffered while in custody.
Background
Shahidul Alam was arrested by the Bangladeshi authorities on Aug. 5,2018,on charges under section 57 of Bangladesh’s ICT Act for comments he made during an Al-Jazeera English interview about student protests for road safety and the authorities’ use of excessive force.
If convicted, Alam could have faced up to 14 years in prison. Alam alleged that he was tortured during his detention.
Amnesty International declared him a Prisoner of Conscience in September 2018.
He was released on Nov. 20, 2018, five days after the High court granted him bail. On Aug. 7, 2025, the High Court of Bangladesh dismissed the case against Shahidul Alam.
disclaimer: This article discusses human rights and legal proceedings. It is indeed not intended to provide legal advice.
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