94 citizens call for abolition of NTMC

A group of 94 citizens has called for complete abolition of National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC) and urged the government to approve the draft Bangladesh Telecommunication (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 without placing surveillance authority under the Home Ministry.

In a joint statement, the signatories said Bangladesh is currently undergoing a crucial phase of justice, reform and elections, which includes the reform of laws and public policies. However, they alleged that despite stakeholder participation in drafting new ordinances and amending existing laws, public opinions are being consistently ignored.

Prominent figures, including Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman, economist Anu Muhammad, philosopher Salimullah Khan, as well as writers, academics, journalists and human rights activists signed the statement.

Referring to the aspirations of the mass uprising, they noted that the interim government had earlier published the draft Bangladesh Telecommu-nication (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, proposing the permanent removal of the government's authority to shut down internet services and significant reforms to the existing surveillance framework.