Since late 2017, the UNODC Global Initiative on Handling Electronic Evidence Across Borders (the Global Initiative) has supported the advancement of United Nations Security Council legal requirements concerning the investigation, prosecution and adjudication of terrorist acts and related international legal cooperation.
In the same period, the use of the Internet and information and communication technology (ICT) has expanded at a staggering rate. The number of global Internet users has grown by over 1.3 billion, active social media users by over 1.9 billion, and unique mobile phone users by over 500 million in the past six years.
But alongside this growth, terrorism continues to threaten international peace and security, with terrorists and their supporters persistently directing their attention to online platforms, using the Internet and ICT for illicit purposes, including radicalizing and recruiting others, financing their actions, and planning attacks.
Led by resolutions of the Security Council, the Global Initiative has responded by supporting Member States to build the capacity of law enforcement to identify, preserve and acquire the electronic data needed to investigate these crimes; prosecutorial and judicial authorities to use it as evidence in court; and central and competent authorities to handle and exchange data across borders and jurisdictions without jeopardizing its admissibility.
As part of these efforts, on 28 and 29 February 2024, UNODC convened a ministerial meeting to review the technical assistance delivered to requesting Member States to date under the framework of the Global Initiative and assess gaps and lingering challenges in effectively responding to emerging threats. The meeting, held under a project funded by the United States Department of State Bureau of Counterterrorism, brought together South Asian and South-East Asian countries in the Greater Malé Area, initiating the development of a sustainable roadmap on strengthening the role of central authorities in handling electronic evidence across borders, outlining priority thematic areas, the role of Member States and UNODC, and the risks and mitigation measures on continued progress in this important area, all while safeguarding respect for the rule of law and human rights.
Following a stocktaking exercise of the Global Initiative and the identification of some opportunities for collaboration between UNODC and Member States, open plenary discussions fed into the development of the roadmap to ensure it will accurately reflect the needs of participating countries; laying the groundwork for future technical assistance in their regions.
In the ever-evolving landscape of terrorism, technology, electronic evidence and international cooperation, the roadmap will serve as a testament to collective determination, bridging nations, strengthening justice, and safeguarding a world where the rule of law triumphs over terrorism.
