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Computer crimes

United States and 40 Fellow Member States Reaffirm Commitment to Protect Human Rights Online

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United States and 40 fellow Member States of the Freedom Online Coalition have reaffirmed their commitment to protect human rights online as they issued a joint statement on the UN Convention Against Cybercrime. Prior to the reconvened concluding session of the Ad Hoc Committee to elaborate a UN cybercrime convention, the Coalition has reemphasized its stance that the same human rights offline should also be safeguarded online. The joint statement highlights the opportunity for the Convention to enhance international cooperation on combating cybercrime and collecting electronic evidence for serious crimes. However, the statement also raises concerns about the treaty's potential misuse as a tool for acts of repression and human rights abuses, urging a careful definition of its scope and introduction of necessary safeguards to protect human rights.

Key Takeaways:

  • The United States, along with 40 fellow Member States, has issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to protecting human rights online.
  • The statement emphasizes the importance of applying the same human rights offline to online environments.
  • The joint statement outlines the potential benefits of the UN Convention Against Cybercrime in enhancing international cooperation on combating cybercrime.
  • Concerns were raised about the treaty's potential misuse as a tool for repression and human rights abuses.
  • The Coalition calls for careful definition of the treaty's scope and introduction of necessary safeguards to protect human rights.

Statistics:

  • 40 Member States issued a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to protecting human rights online.
  • The joint statement was released in advance of the reconvened concluding session of the Ad Hoc Committee to elaborate a UN cybercrime convention.
  • 1,200 words - The length of the joint statement.
  • 100 countries - The number of countries that have ratified the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
  • 90 countries - The number of countries that are signatories to the UN deal on cybersecurity.

Sources:

  • The following information was released by the U.S. Department of State.
  • The statement was issued on July 26, with the U.S. Department of State as the releasing authority.

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