Ad Hoc Consultation: Monday 5th February, Afternoon session

5 Feb 2024 21:00h - 23:59h

Table of contents

Disclaimer: This is not an official record of the WEF session. The DiploAI system automatically generates these resources from the audiovisual recording. Resources are presented in their original format, as provided by the AI (e.g. including any spelling mistakes). The accuracy of these resources cannot be guaranteed. The official record of the session can be found on the WEF YouTube channel.

Full session report

International Committee Debates Cybercrime and Child Protection Measures

During a plenary session of an international committee, delegates engaged in detailed discussions to refine a legal document concerning cybercrime and the protection of children from sexual exploitation. The chairperson opened the session by welcoming the delegates and emphasizing the need to revisit outstanding issues, starting with Article 1, which had unresolved matters related to the Statement of Purpose.

The United States opposed the inclusion of language on the transfer of technology in Article I, subsection C, arguing that it was sufficiently addressed in the technical assistance section and that its repetition could lead to complications.

The session involved intense debate on various proposals, particularly concerning the definition of a child. Delegates deliberated on whether to adhere to the definition provided by the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) or to consider alternative definitions. The United States raised concerns that the CRC’s definition did not consider the context of cybercrimes, potentially leading to variable interpretations that might weaken the protection of children under Article 13.

Discussions on Article 13 were contentious, with Egypt advocating for the deletion of Paragraphs 3 and 5, claiming they were irrelevant to the subject of child sexual abuse and contradicted obligations under the CRC. Oman supported Egypt’s stance, emphasizing the shared goal of child protection. The Russian Federation and Iran initially proposed deleting subparagraph F in Article 16, deeming it redundant, but later showed flexibility in retaining it to maintain consistency with language in other international conventions like UNTOC and UNCAC.

Several paragraphs across multiple articles, such as Articles 19, 18, and 16, were agreed upon ad referendum, indicating provisional acceptance pending further discussion or confirmation. However, reservations and requests for additional time to consider specific provisions underscored the ongoing challenges in reaching full consensus.

The session was characterized by a spirit of compromise, with delegates showing flexibility on certain points to advance the discussions. The chairperson played a crucial role in facilitating negotiations, often suggesting middle-ground solutions and encouraging delegates to consider the broader objectives of the convention.

The meeting concluded on time due to austerity measures, leaving some issues unresolved. The Secretariat informed all multi-stakeholders of the need to vacate the premises by 18:00 hours, reflecting external constraints on the session’s duration.

In summary, the plenary session highlighted the complexity of international negotiations, where precision in language, legal consistency, and respect for diverse legal systems and cultural values are essential. The delegates’ efforts to reach consensus and their adaptability in the face of changing circumstances were notable, even as some matters remained pending further deliberation.

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Armenia

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Australia

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