Cyber Crimes Bill 2020 tabled in parliament

The 2020 Cyber Crimes Bill has been tabled in parliament which will aim at prosecuting people committing cybercrimes.

While tabling the bill, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum says under the existing Crimes Act, cybercrime offences may be prosecuted under computer-related offence provisions however these provisions are proving to be inadequate given the ever-evolving nature of cybercrime and computer-related offences in Fiji and the world.

Sayed-Khaiyum says now, more so with social distancing, we will have a lot more reliance on digital technology and usage.

The Attorney General says they have been working through a number of these issues and have held a number of consultations in the formulation of the bill.

He adds that in 2016, the government launched a cybersecurity strategy which amongst other things provides the development of the cybercrime legislation.

Meanwhile, National Federation Party Leader, Professor Biman Prasad says they have no objections towards the Cyber Crime Bill going to the Standing Committee as it is the right thing to do.

However, he raised concerns that the Standing Committee will need more time to deliberate on the appropriate penalties and fines as part of a regulation made by the Minister.

He adds that the committee should conduct a nationwide survey.

The bill has been submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Justice, Law and Human Rights, and they have to return with their recommendations in the next parliament sitting.