The UN General Assembly and the Fight Against the Cybercrime Treaty

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The final text of the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime, adopted last Thursday by the United Nations Ad Hoc Committee, is now headed to the UN General Assembly for final approval. The last hours of deliberations were marked by drama as Iran repeatedly, though unsuccessfully, attempted to remove almost all human rights protections that survived in the final text, receiving support from dozens of nations. Although Iran’s efforts were defeated, the resulting text is still nothing to celebrate, as it remains riddled with unresolved human rights issues. 

The Fight Moves to the UN General Assembly

The UN General Assembly could consider the treaty as soon as next month. If it passes, Member States will be invited to sign and ratify the treaty, a process that often involves legislative debate and votes. The treaty will officially come into force 90 days after at least 40 countries ratify it.

This presents  a vital opportunity for us to push back. We must rally a strong, unified opposition to ratification and demand that the treaty, if ratified, be augmented with robust human rights safeguards and accountability. Civil society, defense attorneys, and data protection authorities must ensure implementation laws adhere to the highest human rights standards—especially where the treaty is silent or vague. 

Throughout more than three years of advocacy, we fought for clearer definitions, narrower scope, and stronger human rights protections. Yet, instead of merely facilitating cooperation on cybercrime, this treaty introduces new surveillance powers and cross-border procedures that could facilitate repression under the guise

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