EU must close legal gap to protect children from sexual abuse online: UN experts

-

As the world marked Safer Internet Day, UN human rights experts urged this 10 February 2021 the European Union to reach agreement on temporary legislation to allow for the continued use of technological tools to tackle online child sexual abuse.

Reports prepared by tech companies using these tools have become key elements in law enforcement agency investigations, helping identify, locate and rescue victims, as well as bringing perpetrators to justice.

The implementation of the European Electronic Communication Code (EECC) on 21 December 2020 extended the EU’s communications regulatory framework to effectively ban the use of these tools.

The experts are deeply concerned by the impact on reports of child sexual abuse online.

“This is not a hypothetical problem. This impasse is already having a serious impact on reporting,” said the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children, Najat Maalla M’jid. “We know that with fewer reports, there will be fewer investigations. This hampers the ability of law enforcement agencies to do their job and keep children safe.”

The US National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has recorded a 46 percent drop in the number of EU-related reports to its CyberTipline submitted by technology companies, comparing the three weeks before and three weeks after the EECC became effective in December.

“The fact that there currently exists no legislation within the EU, that allows for the technology companies to detect and report child  sexual abuse online is very concerning to me,” said Mama Fatima Singhateh, the Special Rapporteur on sale and sexual exploitation of children. “If no agreement is reached to finalise and pass the temporary derogation, many children will continue to be abused with impunity with no hope in sight for assistance.”

“Thus it’s crucial,” urged Joseph Cannataci, the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy, that States “review their legal frameworks to enable voluntary action by companies to lawfully and proportionately detect online child sexual abuse while still maximising protection of privacy.”

The experts said the data on reduced reporting is especially worrying given evidence of increased risk to children during the COVID-19 pandemic. Europol has warned of increased activity relating to child sexual abuse and exploitation on both the surface web and dark web. A law enforcement survey released last month by tech company NetClean confirmed that the pandemic has led to a global increase in online child sexual abuse crime, with two in three police officers reporting that social restrictions and school closures have affected online child sexual abuse crime.

Against this background, the experts urge swift action by the European Union to close the legal gap in children’s protection from sexual abuse online.

Cassien Tribunal Aungane, Editor

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Building Loyalty: The Art of Personalised Brand Experiences and Advocacy, By Tushar Vaishnavi, Strategic Planning Director, Canon Central & North Africa

-
Image
Tushar Vaishnavi, Strategic Planning Director, Canon Central & North Africa  The winds of change have swept across the African consumer landscape over the past decade, reshaping shopping habits and behaviours, particularly among our vibrant younger generations. Coupled with technological advancements and a shifting consumer-brand dynamic, this presents unique challenges – and opportunities – for businesses, retailers, and the marketing industry on the African continent. While businesses find themselves under immense pressure to deliver tangible results and demonstrate a return on investment, the battleground for consumers' attention is fierce. Today's discerning consumers have the power to choose which brands to embrace and which to ignore. Buyer journeys have also become intricate and nonlinear. Spoilt for choice when it comes to channels, consumers transition seamlessly between the physical and virtual realms to gather information, form impressions, and make purchasing de
Read more

Merck Foundation provided 780 scholarships to women doctors to empower women in science - International Day of Girls & Women in Science

-
Image
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation with african women • Merck Foundation marks International Day of Girls & Women in Science through their STEM program. • Merck Foundation launches the “MARS Best African Woman Researchers Awards” annually to empower and recognize women in science. In 2023, 6 Researchers from 6 different African Countries awarded in two categories - Best African Women Researchers and Best African young Researchers. • Merck Foundation empowers African Women in the areas of Science and Technology through providing 780 scholarships to female doctors out of the total 1700 scholarships which represents 46% of Merck Foundation Alumni.  • Merck Foundation also announced the Call for Applications for Merck Foundation Africa Research Summit – MARS Awards 2024 to empower Women and Youth in STEM in Africa with special focus on scientific research in Women Health and Infertility & Reproductive Health. Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germ
Read more

Advancing Sustainable Oil and Gas (O&G) Investments: Savannah Energy Joins African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 as Bronze Sponsor

-
Image
The African Energy Chamber is proud to announce that Savannah Energy has joined the African Energy Week 2023 conference as Bronze Sponsor. As International Oil Companies divest from carbon-intensive oil and gas projects, independent players are taking on the challenge of sustainably developing hydrocarbons in Africa. Given the continent’s growing demand and industrialization efforts, bringing new oil and gas supplies on the market has become increasingly vital. Companies such as African-focused British-based independent energy company Savannah Energy Plc (“Savannah”) are spearheading efforts to unlock the full potential of Africa’s hydrocarbons, alongside utility-scale renewable energy projects across the continent, and are set to play a much larger role as African countries invite new investment into the energy sector. Savannah has joined the African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 conference - taking place from 16–20 October in Cape Town – as a Bronze Sponsor, and will leverage the platform’s
Read more