Analysis of the Draft UN Comprehensive Convention against Cybercrime in the Context of Respect for the Rights of Victims

   The paper presents an analysis of the draft international convention against cybercrime, which was approved on August 9, 2024, by the UN Ad Hoc Committee on the Development of a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communication Technologies for Criminal Purposes. An assessment is made of how this document may impact the observance of human rights, particularly the rights of persons affected by cybercrime. Gaps and contradictions in the project were identified, and proposals for their elimination were put forward and substantiated. In particular, it was recommended to remove the provisions that introduce unjustified advantages for some victims at the expense of the rights of others. It is proposed to include the definitions of cybercrime and cybercrimes (the author’s definitions of these concepts are presented and substantiated), and to introduce provisions aimed at ensuring the rapid and effective of decisions to refuse the initiation of a criminal investigation based on a report of a committed cybercrime. The author also proposes to include in the draft a recommendation for the publication of statistical data for the information of any interested parties. This data would cover received reports of cybercrimes and the types of alleged criminal acts; decisions made on such reports; instances of missed deadlines for processing reports; and the appeal by applicants of actions (or inaction) by law enforcement agencies. A number of other additions are also proposed.

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