Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman. File Photo

DHAKA, Aug 1, 2026 (BSS) - Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md 
Asaduzzaman today said the government does not want to gag people's voices or 
curtail their right to free expression.
 
Replying to a question about the proposed Cyber Law, the minister said it 
would be finalized after further scrutiny and review.
 
"While the law must uphold people's constitutionally guaranteed freedom of 
expression, it must also address offences such as character assassination and 
defamation committed through the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI). We 
want to strike a balance between protecting freedom of speech and preventing 
other forms of crime. We do not want to rush the process in a way that would 
gag people's voices or curtail their right to free expression," he said while 
talking to newsmen on the sidelines of a programme held at a city hotel this 
afternoon.
 
Replying to another question, the minister said the proposed Prevention and 
Remedy of Enforced Disappearance Act, 2026, and the National Human Rights 
Commission (Amendment) Act, 2026, are in the final stage of preparation and 
would be placed before the next Cabinet meeting.
 
"We hope to place the bills in the next session of Parliament," he added.
 
Referring to a recent report on the proceedings of the Indian Parliament that 
said India would not allow Awami League President and former Bangladesh Prime 
Minister Sheikh Hasina to engage in political activities from its soil, 
Asaduzzaman said India itself had understood the matter.
 
"The legal systems across the Indian subcontinent are broadly similar. 
India's Penal Code and Code of Criminal Procedure are largely comparable to 
ours, so they know what needs to be done," he said.
 
The minister added that Bangladesh is taking the necessary steps on its part 
and that further legal measures will be taken after due scrutiny and at the 
appropriate time.