UN Cybercrime Convention raises human rights concerns in the Arab region

The imminent adoption of a new UN cybercrime convention by the General Assembly has sparked significant concerns over its implications for global digital rights, particularly in the Arab region. Critics argue that the convention, as currently drafted, lacks sufficient human rights safeguards, potentially empowering authoritarian regimes to suppress dissent both domestically and internationally.

In the Arab region, existing cybercrime laws often serve as tools to curb freedom of expression, with vague terms criminalising online speech that might undermine state prestige or harm public morals. These restrictions contravene Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which requires limitations on expression to be lawful, necessary, and proportionate.

Such ambiguity in legal language fosters an environment of self-censorship, as individuals remain uncertain about the legal interpretation of their online content. The convention’s broad scope further alarms international cooperation in cases potentially infringing human rights. It allows for the collection of electronic evidence for ‘serious crimes,’ which are vaguely defined and could include acts like defamation or expressions of sexual orientation—punishable by severe penalties in some countries.

That provision risks enabling extensive surveillance and data-sharing among nations with weak human rights records. In the Arab region, existing cybercrime laws already permit intrusive surveillance and mass data collection without adequate safeguards, threatening individuals’ privacy rights. Countries like Tunisia and Palestine lack mechanisms to notify individuals after surveillance, removing their ability to seek redress for legal violations and exacerbating privacy concerns.

In light of these issues, Access Now and civil society organisations are urging UN member states to critically evaluate the convention and resist voting for its adoption in its current form. They recommend thorough national discussions to assess its human rights impacts and call for stronger safeguards in future negotiations.

Why does it matter?

Arab states are encouraged to align their cybercrime laws with international standards and engage civil society in discussions to demonstrate a genuine commitment to human rights. The overarching message is clear: without comprehensive reforms, the convention risks further eroding digital rights and undermining freedom of expression worldwide. It is imperative to ensure that any international treaty robustly protects human rights rather than enabling their violation under the guise of combating cybercrime.