Experts Urge EU to Reject UN Cybercrime Convention
The draft UN Convention against Cybercrime is facing significant opposition from a coalition of human rights organizations, tech companies, and legal experts. They urge EU member states to reject the proposal, citing concerns over its broad scope and potential to undermine human rights and democracy. Critics argue that the Convention introduces legal uncertainties and fails to align with established EU digital laws, such as the Digital Services Act. They emphasize that the Convention’s provisions could lead to excessive surveillance and content moderation, threatening freedom of expression and privacy.
Key concerns include the Convention’s lack of enforceable human rights safeguards and its potential to conflict with EU data protection laws. Articles within the Convention are seen as overly broad, allowing for extensive surveillance powers and cross-border cooperation without adequate protections. The absence of clear standards for data protection and privacy further exacerbates these issues, potentially leading to human rights violations and misuse of personal data.
The draft Convention also lacks a comprehensive gender perspective, failing to incorporate gender equality measures throughout its articles. This omission reflects resistance from some governments to advancing gender equality in the digital realm. Additionally, the Convention’s provisions on international cooperation may facilitate cross-border human rights abuses, posing risks to marginalized communities and those critical of their governments.
In conclusion, the draft UN Cybercrime Convention is viewed as a threat to digital security and privacy. It lacks sufficient safeguards against abuse and fails to protect good-faith actors like security researchers and journalists. The coalition urges the EU and its member states to reject the Convention, advocating for a more balanced approach to international cybercrime standards.
