A report published at a United Nations Crime Commission meeting
last week has called on member states to consider introducing an
international cybercrime convention. The suggestion comes as the
much smaller Council of Europe is struggling to find consensus for
a similar document that has yet to be adopted after more than two
dozen drafts.
The UN delegates observed that cybercrime had in the past been
confined to criminals and victims in developed countries, but that
it has now extended to many developing countries. Any solutions,
they said, would need to involve the participation of both
developed and developing countries.
They also acknowledged that cybercrime raised major implications
for human rights, commerce and social conditions, in addition to
crime control.
The report recommends that computer-related crime be treated as
a distinct subject and that developing countries be assisted in
addressing the issue. It also suggests consideration of
international, national and private-sector measures. Such measures,
it notes, will work only with near-universal consensus.
The Commission will continue discussion on the problem and
possible remedies at a resumed session in September.
