Investigating and prosecuting cybercrime offenders is a challenge, particularly when the victim, offender and the providers are located in different countries, says University of Fiji School of Law lecturer Varsha Bano.
She said this while making a submission on the Convention on Cybercrime yesterday.
Ms Bano said the Convention on Cybercrime would improve mutual cooperation across territories, and aid in investigations and prosecutions.
“Accession to the convention would benefit Fiji in addressing trans-border crime,” she said.
“So far, this convention is the only international treaty seeking specifically to address internet and computer crime.
“We know how important and effective international cooperation is, especially when dealing with trans-border cybercrime.”
Ms Bano said the convention was a cybercrime treaty in title, however, its benefits encompassed more than that.
“Its provisions deal with pure cybercrime, cyber-enabled crime and criminal evidence stored electronically.”
She said in acceding to the convention, Fiji would be required to incorporate offences against the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer data and system and computer related offences such as fraud and forgery, and content related offences such as the distribution of child pornography through computer systems and offences related to commercial-scale infringements of copyright and theft of intellectual property into our domestic legislation.
“We will also be required to regularise search and surveillance powers necessary for obtaining electronic evidence of offending, consistent with domestic and international human rights obligations.”
