DPP calls for cybercrime legislation to address rising cyber-crimes

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Director of Public Prosecution Andrew Kelesi calls for the establishment of a specific cybercrime legislation in the country saying cybercrime has emerged as a potent threat, infiltrating our digital lives and businesses.

He made the call when speaking yesterday to open a two-day conference which aimed at providing a platform to learn and understand what is cybercrime, and to prepare our prosecutors to deal with it and well as to assist in the development of our cybercrime legislation.

He highlighted that in today’s digital and global world, cybercrime or cyber have become the common denominator for all socio-economic development sectors and they represent a real issue our nation faces.

He told the prosecutors that they gathered not just to recognize these challenges but also to actively seek solutions, to bridge the gaps in our knowledge and laws.

“It has never more crucial as today with daily social media news relating to cyberbullying or cyberattack and major crimes committed on social medias such as WhatsApp, Facebook etc,” Kelesi stated.

“As Solomon Islands increase access to broadband and satellite internet, they become more interconnected and vulnerable to cyberattack on wide ranges of attack. “Moreover, it is become critical to reinforce our human resources capacity to secure our people by building knowledge in order to deal with it,” said the DPP.

He highlighted that one of the most significant challenges “we face is the lack of legislation in place for Solomon Islands to address the issue.”

He pointed out that to address this, “we must establish specific cybercrime legislation, aligning it with international standards like the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.”

The DPP stated that moreover, collaboration with international standards and strengthening bilateral agreements with other countries are essential steps in ensuring a cohesive legal framework.

Kelesi further said that more so, many people do not fully comprehend the extent of cybercrimes and the potential risks they pose.

He said phishing attacks, online scams, identity theft, and

cyberbullying have become alarmingly common.

“To address this, we must invest in educational initiatives and awareness campaigns. Knowledge is power, and an informed populace is the first line of defence against cybercrime,” he said.

Against the challenges, the DPP said the path forward is clear.

“We must develop a comprehensive National Cybercrime Policy and Legislation a strong legislative model, and protocols for handling digital evidence. We must identify and implement best practices in investigating cybercrime offences, establish mechanisms for international cooperation, and streamline the process of accessing information from social media providers,” he stated.

Kelesi concluded: “Clear guidelines for the prosecution of cybercrime offences and a dedicated cybercrime prosecution policy are crucial to ensuring consistency and fairness in legal proceedings.”