Explanation of Position of the Islamic Republic of Iran

On Agenda item 109: Countering the use of information and

communications technologies for criminal purposes:

draft decision (A/76/L.31) and draft amendments (A/76/L.33) & (A/76/L.34)

Before the United Nations General Assembly

New York, 20 January 2022

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful.

Mr. President,

Use of ICT for criminal purposes often transcends geographical boundaries which as a global problem affects all requiring an urgent, effective and united response. Any delay to act accordingly will provide   criminals more opportunities for expanding their pernicious activities and would only create loopholes for criminals to enjoy impunity and evade the administration of justice, in particular, by exploiting the ambiguities and existing challenges in international judicial cooperation among States.

Given the vital importance of an expedited and collective response to such crimes, my delegation welcomes any initiative that can lead to the immediate implementation of General Assembly Resolution A/74/247 and operationalization of the arrangements and the very purposes envisaged in the General Assembly Resolution A/75/282 concerning convening of the first session of the Ad hoc Committee.

We understand the concerns emanating from the spread of the Covid-19 disease but the pandemic has also created conditions that have led to the development and rise of crimes, especially new forms of crimes in cyberspace, therefore, the Covid-19 should not be assumed as an obstacle that prevent us from tackling these crimes rather it should actually be among the reasons for taking action against such crimes right away.

That is why we believe in the continuity of proper business within the UN System, in particular, the Ad hoc Committee. My delegation strongly supports the holding of inclusive and meaningful negotiations within the Ad Hoc Committee to elaborate a comprehensive international Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes as soon as possible. As we are now present in this hall, we can also participate in the Ad Hoc Committee while meeting relevant health protocols as we also have done so far since the outbreak of the pandemic.

My delegation commends the constructive proposal made by the Russian Federation and amendments by Belarus which are in consistency with resolution A/75/282. We, as sovereign States, should decide how to proceed, and the Secretariat should provide suitable facilities for holding the meeting, as it has always done so attentively.

In the light of the above and given the urgent need to immediately commence the first session of the Ad hoc Committee for effectively responding to pressing challenges of crimes committed via the use of ICT, we underline that any further delay in the convening of the first meeting not only is of no benefit to the international community but also would lead criminals to jeopardize the rule of law to the detriment of all, we thus invite all Member States to decide with a view to facilitating and expediting the convening of the first session as promptly as possible. It would be regrettable if politicized views of few affect judgments on the vital significance and very essentiality of commencement of this process.      

Thank you