A report published at a United Nations Crime Commission meeting last week has called on member states to consider introducing an international cybercrime convention. The suggestion comes as the much smaller Council of Europe is struggling to find consensus for a similar document that has yet to be adopted after more than two dozen drafts.

The UN delegates observed that cybercrime had in the past been confined to criminals and victims in developed countries, but that it has now extended to many developing countries. Any solutions, they said, would need to involve the participation of both developed and developing countries.

They also acknowledged that cybercrime raised major implications for human rights, commerce and social conditions, in addition to crime control.

The report recommends that computer-related crime be treated as a distinct subject and that developing countries be assisted in addressing the issue. It also suggests consideration of international, national and private-sector measures. Such measures, it notes, will work only with near-universal consensus.

The Commission will continue discussion on the problem and possible remedies at a resumed session in September.

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