Statement by

 H.E. Mr. Takht Ravanchi

Ambassador and Permanent Representative

of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations

Before the Ad hoc Committee for Elaboration of the Convention on Countering the Use of ICT for Criminal Purposes

On Agenda Item (3): General Debate

New York, 28 Februrary 2022

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

Madam Chair;

Information and communications technologies have presented an exceptional opportunity for nations to thrive and prosper, yet, criminals are exponentially misusing such technologies to carry out their illicit activities. The rampant crime we witness today and the egregious harm it inflicts upon our societies is even hard to measure, for modus operandi of criminals are becoming increasingly diversified and sophisticated. Crimes committed via the use of ICT often transcend geographical boundaries. As such, a strengthened collective response at the international level within a sound international legal framework, one which promotes harmonized and context-specific regulations and sets standardized operating procedures for expedited international cooperation, is more than necessary.

Despite the proclivity of few for negating the dire need for an international convention in this area, the Islamic Republic of Iran has long been among the strongest advocates for this overdue and vital framework. We co-sponsored resolution 74/247, pursuant to which the Ad hoc Committee has been established, with a view to revitalizing efforts in tackling the growing use of ICT for criminal purposes. It is for this reason that we reaffirm our continued support for the work of the committee and welcome active and constructive engagement of all Member States in the process of elaboration of the Convention and in supporting the smooth and uninterrupted performance of the Committee in discharging its mandate. In this regard, we highly commend the invaluable efforts of Russia and China in proposing a draft convention. This initiative deserves to be considered as a basis for discussions in this Committee.

Madam Chair;

With the support of all Member States, we have now before us a singular opportunity to elaborate on an international convention under the aegis of the United Nations. We need to revisit the raison d’etre of such process in the first place, by way of which, we concur that the convention should, amongst others, aim to effectively promote, facilitate, support and expedite international cooperation and assist States Parties in the fight against such crimes. Our collective response to the use of ICT for criminal purposes could be well-realized through a vision that cherishes a shared future in cyberspace for all, with equal opportunities and without discrimination.  

The convention should endeavor to ensure that State Parties respect and uphold the fundamental principles of international law, in particular, sovereign equality, territorial integrity and non-intervention in domestic affairs of other states. In this context and taking into account that promoting international cooperation among States is expected to constitute as the purpose of the Convention, no state shall hinder cooperation among other states in countering such offences, particularly, by adopting unilateral measures to the detriment of any state party. Therefore, Member States should desist and refrain from promulgating and applying Unilateral Coercive Measure which, in violation of the fundamental principles of international law, stymie effective cooperation among Member States and undermine the ability of states to fight the ever-evolving crimes perpetrated by the use of ICT. As such, these unlawful measures should be addressed in this area from a technical standpoint so as to ensure equal access to necessary tools for overcoming the challenges emerged due to the use of ICT for criminal purposes and enable all prospective state parties to efficiently engage in international cooperation and efficiently tackle such criminal activities.

Madam Chair;

We remain fully supportive of the work of the Committee and now that the process of elaboration of the convention has been rekindled despite various challenges including Covid-19 pandemic, we would like to assure you of our active engagement in this process and once again invite Member States to expedite the work of the Committee so as to finalize the convention as soon as possible.

I thank you