The ESCWA Cyber Legislation Digest 3.0 The ESCWA Cyber Legislation Initiative Prior to 2007, extensive studies and regional analysis on cyber legislation was conducted in areas of the world outside of the ESCWA region. Comparable material was not available for the ESCWA region with few attempts made at developing cyber legislation in a concerted and planned manner. The nascent nature of knowledge societies in most ESCWA member countries required immediate legislative action, in order to create an adequate enabling environment for ICTs to flourish. Without a catalytic and conjoined effort to support their legislative plans, policymakers were not well prepared in addressing cyber legislative issues. Resolving these issues is of great importance towards facilitating electronic interactions between ESCWA member countries and at the Arab regional level. Most developed countries, as well as some developing countries, have recently started to update or have already updated their legal and regulatory frameworks, in line with the needs to adopting new technologies. An example is the launch of the "e-Europe Initiative" by the European Commission (2000), which aimed at accelerating Europe's transition towards a knowledge-based economy4. This would then realize the potential benefits of higher growth, more jobs and improved access for all citizens, to the new services of the information age. A similar effort was needed for the ESCWA region in particular and the Arab world in general. In 2007, ESCWA commenced with a series of activities aimed at the Regional Harmonization of Cyber Legislation to Promote the Knowledge Society in the Arab World. In launching Regional Harmonization activities, ESCWA aimed at enhancing the regional integration of cyber legislation. It also aimed at strengthening the capacity of member countries to develop their own knowledge societies. These two aims need to be achieved by building a strong and sustainable ICT sector supported by appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks. Such suitable frameworks lead to growth in the regional economy, particularly in the ICT sector, through the implementation of appropriate laws. 3.1 The Objectives of Cyber Legislation The general objectives of cyber legislation were understood by ESCWA as follows: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 4 To prevent the illegal use of cyberspace. To provide a framework that allows judiciary processes to address cybercrime when it happens. To reinforce human rights by recognizing the variety of aspects that relate to the digital rights of individuals. To enhance the different modes of electronic communication by providing the required traceability, security and protection of data. To define in clear terms the obligations, liabilities and responsibilities of all stakeholders. http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/eeurope/i2010/archive/eeurope/index_en.htm 7