Pornography in Bangladesh is forbidden. It is against the law to watch, produce, distribute, or possess pornography, since the Pornography Control Act has been passed in 2012. [1]
Perverted and paraphilic novels, which sometimes included illustrations, sometimes sold by small roadside book shops. [2]
In 2009, studies by the Manusher Jonno Foundation found increase in production of child pornography. [3] In 2013, a report by the Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha cited a study that found that over 30 million Taka worth of pornography is downloaded per month in Cyber Cafes in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The report also found 77 percent of pornography viewers were underage. [2]
In 2015 the High Court of Bangladesh asked the government to stop pornographic material in social media. [4] In 2016 Bangladesh Government Minister, Tarana Halim, has announced plans to block internet porn sites in Bangladesh. [5] Information and telecommunications minister of 11th parliamentary government of Bangladesh, Mostafa Zabbar, blocked nearly 20,000 porn websites access in Bangladesh from November 2018 to February 2019. [6]
Pornography in Bangladesh is legally defined as images and videos depicting nudity or semi-nudity.
The Pornography Control act of 2012 criminalizes pornography and possession, distribution and production of pornographic material is illegal in Bangladesh.
Maximum punishment for producing pornography is up to 7 years of imprisonment with hard labour with fines up to 200,000 BDT. Minimum punishment for possessing and distributing pornographic material can be up to 5 years of imprisonment with labour and fines up to 200,000 BDT.
Possession, distribution, production and publication of child pornography can be penalised with up to 10 years in prison with labour and up to 500,000 BDT fines. [7]
The laws have been welcomed by most Bangladeshi. [8] But critics say though the law will deter blackmailing and exploitation it would be very hard to police. [8] In 2012, the Press Secretary to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Abul Kalam Azad, said "pornography has spread like a disease in Bangladesh". [9] Pornography is viewed negatively and is blamed for making children "perverts". [10]
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