Staff Reporter
THE Minister of Justice, Yvonne Dausab, said that the alarming increase in cybercrime – particularly with regards to child pornography, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, defamation, online child trafficking, online extortion and sexual harassment – is gravely concerning and requires advanced and agile law enforcement on a national and global level.
Dausab made these remarks at the 31st Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice (CCPCJ) that recently took place in Vienna, Austria, with the thematic discussion on Strengthening the Use of Digital Evidence in Criminal Justice and Countering Cybercrime, including the Abuse and Exploitation of Minors in Illegal Activities with the Use of the Internet. Dausab participated online by providing a video statement.
“It is timely as the international community embarks upon discussion to elaborate a comprehensive international convention on countering the use of ICTs for criminal purposes. It is therefore important that we formulate international standards to regulate issues related to lawful access as well as user sharing of electronic evidence,” Dausab said.
Referencing the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) of 2004 and the Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act of 2018, Dausab explained that Namibia has put measures in place to prevent and fight against cybercrime. However, she emphasised that the complexity and diversity of the new emerging cybercrimes require a global effort.
She said organised trans-national crimes do not only pose a threat to national peace and stability, but also to regional and global peace and security. Taking this into consideration, she added, it is important to formulate international standards to regulate issues related to lawful access as well as sharing of electronic evidence.
“It is, therefore, our conviction that addressing the challenges posed by cybercrime requires a joint global effort, which must go beyond the provision of technical assistance and the scope of existing instruments governing trans-national organised crime,” Dausab said.
