The Council of Europe and the Draft Convention On Cyber Crime

The Council of Europe (CoE) has been concerned with the growing problem of international computer-related crimes (“cyber crimes”) since the late 1980’s. In 1989, the CoE published a study recognizing the need for new substantive laws that would criminalize certain conduct committed through the use of computers. A second study followed in 1995, addressing the issue of criminal procedural laws in the computer area. Finally, in 1997, the CoE established a Committee of Experts on Crime in Cyberspace (“PC-CY”) to draft a convention on cyber crime so as to facilitate international cooperation in the investigation and prosecution of computer crimes…[more]