Effective Laws Needed Against AI Violence

An effective legal framework is needed to prevent digital and artificial intelligence-facilitated violence, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md. Asaduzzaman has said. He said the government would review existing laws and give due importance to stakeholder recommendations while framing new laws and provisions where necessary.

On September 10, 2026, Thursday, the minister made the remarks as the chief guest at the ‘Dhaka Dialogue: Ending Digital and AI-Facilitated Violence Against Women’, organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

Asaduzzaman said Bangladesh already has several laws addressing cyberbullying, cyber harassment and violence against women through digital platforms. However, the rapid development of AI is creating new forms of risk. Laws and experiences from different countries are being reviewed to address these emerging threats, he said.

He said consultations with stakeholders have also begun on amendments to cybersecurity-related laws. As such legislation involves fundamental issues such as freedom of expression, a broad and participatory consultation process is necessary, he added.

Highlighting government initiatives to protect women’s rights and security, Asaduzzaman said Bangladesh is taking steps to introduce digital marriage and divorce registration and documentation systems. Such systems would help prevent child marriage, forced marriage and other irregularities.

He also said initiatives to resolve disputes through legal assistance and mediation have been strengthened.

The law minister stressed that cooperation from all relevant stakeholders, alongside government efforts, is necessary to address digital and AI-facilitated violence. He said the government would seriously consider any positive and effective recommendations on the issue.

The session was moderated by Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam. Other speakers included Jaharat Adib Chowdhury, chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed; State Minister for Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin Putul; parliamentarian Sanjida Islam Tulee; and Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs Dr. Rowshan Ara Begum, among others.