On Thursday, United Nations member states approved a landmark treaty aimed at tackling cybercrime. This new convention, the first of its kind by the UN, has been in the works for three years, with a final negotiation session held in New York.
The United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime was adopted by consensus and will soon be presented to the General Assembly for official approval. Faouzia Boumaiza Mebarki, the Algerian diplomat who chaired the drafting committee, expressed her gratitude and excitement, stating, “I consider the documents… adopted. Thank you very much, bravo to all!”
The treaty will come into effect once 40 member nations ratify it. It is designed to improve the prevention and combat of cybercrime, particularly focusing on issues such as child sexual abuse imagery and money laundering. South Africa’s representative praised the treaty as a “landmark convention,” highlighting the technical assistance and capacity-building it provides to countries with developing cyber infrastructures.
However, the treaty has faced significant criticism from human rights activists and major tech companies. Critics argue that the treaty’s broad scope could lead to increased global surveillance and repression. The treaty allows states to request electronic evidence and data from internet service providers for crimes punishable by at least four years in prison, raising concerns about privacy and potential misuse.
Deborah Brown from Human Rights Watch warned that the treaty could be used as a tool for global surveillance and repression, impacting journalists, activists, and other vulnerable groups. Nick Ashton-Hart, representing the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, echoed these concerns, criticizing the treaty for not addressing major flaws pointed out by civil society and tech companies.
On the other hand, some countries, including Russia, have argued that the treaty includes too many human rights safeguards. Russia expressed dissatisfaction with the treaty’s emphasis on human rights, accusing other nations of using democratic values as a guise for self-serving interests.
During the session, Iran attempted to remove certain clauses that emphasized the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. However, this request was rejected, with the majority of countries voting against the deletion.
Despite the contentious debates, no country chose to block the treaty’s approval by consensus. The new convention marks a significant step in global efforts to combat cybercrime, but it remains a topic of intense debate regarding its implications for privacy and human rights.
