Social
Bangladesh has diversity in terms of race, tribe, creed, religion, and culture. However, this
diversity comes with many opportuni�es and the danger of s�gma/discrimina�on and
nega�ve ethnicity. Therefore, the NHRC seeks to proac�vely act to protect the ethnic and
religious minori�es and other vulnerable groups while leveraging diversity opportuni�es.
The literacy rate in Bangladesh has risen remarkably over the past decade. The NHRC has
the opportunity to leverage educa�onal literacy to promote human rights work, educa�on,
awareness, and training, and include human rights in the formal and informal learning
curriculum.
Technological
Bangladesh made remarkable progress in the field of digitaliza�on. Informa�on &
Communica�on Technology (ICT) and increased service provisioning have opened
communica�on and connec�vity access to a large number of the popula�on across the
country. E-governance and network governance have witnessed ministries and
service-oriented organiza�ons use online instruments to deliver services. Websites of
public sector organiza�ons have been providing easier access to public services. Digital
growth has created space for individuals, organiza�ons, government ins�tu�ons, and
private companies to communicate. Access to social media communica�on, both na�onal
and global, shi�s power from gate-keepers in tradi�onal media to ci�zens and users
themselves. Therefore, there is a great opportunity to leverage on the various digital
pla�orms and especially the use of social media to enhance human rights educa�on,
repor�ng, accountability, and advocacy.
However, with �me, the number of cybercrimes in Bangladesh is increasing despite the
laws regula�ng cybersecurity being framed by the government. Youths are at the
forefront of social media adop�on. A sec�on of social media users posts offensive and
obscene comments and also drag people’s personal life and family life onto social media
pla�orms. Women and children are subject to harassment and abuse in the pla�orm. The
NHRC views that Digital Security Act 2018 should only be used to combat cybercrimes,
strengthen cyber security systems, ensure user protec�on and prevent the spread of
racism; extremism; terrorist propaganda; and hatred against religious or ethnic minori�es
and sexual harassment through social media, print media or any other electronic media.
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