OAS/REMJA AND THE UNITED STATES PROVIDE TRAINING TO JUDGES AND MAGISTRATES FROM BRAZIL, CHILE, PARAGUAY AND BRAZIL

From November 18 to 20, 2014, the Organization of American States, through the Working Group on Cyber-Crime of the Meetings of Ministers of Justice or other Ministers of Attorneys General of the Americas (REMJA), together with the United States Department of Justice, through its Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section (CCIPS) and its Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training (OPDAT), held a Regional Cyber-Crime Workshop for Judges and Magistrates in Asuncion, Paraguay.

The Workshop, which provided training to more than 50 representatives from Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay, was made possible thanks to the collaboration of and support provided by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Judicial Branch of Paraguay, and in particular, its Department of International Affairs and Institutional Integrity.

The event was inaugurated by Minister Alicia Pucheta de Correa, First Vice-President of the Supreme Court of Justice of Paraguay, who, in addition to pointing out its importance, noted the fact that the meeting represented an opportunity for Paraguay to update its criminal legislation regarding cyber-offenses. Minister Pucheta also highlighted the efforts underway in Paraguay to adhere to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. Also in attendance at the inauguration of the event were the Brazilian and Chilean Ambassadors to Paraguay, respectively, as well as representatives from the United States Embassy to Paraguay.

Following the inauguration, Day 1 of the substantive training began with a moderated discussion in which participants exchanged experiences related cyber-crime cases from a judicial perspective, including the unique challenges presented by these types of prosecutions. Additionally, training was provided on, among others, the various forms of crimes that can be committed via the internet; tools that can be used to assist cyber-crime investigations and prosecutions; an analysis of actual cyber-crime cases. Participants were also informed of the developments that have taken place in this arena within the framework of the Organization of American States, as well as of the resources available in this area on the OAS Inter-American Cooperation Portal on Cyber-Crime.

Day 2 of the Workshop focused on the sources of, handling and utility of digital evidence; lessons learned from real-life cyber-crime cases; the need for international cooperation and mechanisms in this regard; and the need for countries to adopt adequate procedural legislation in the area of cyber-crime.

Day 3 of the Workshop began with a discussion surrounding the ongoing debate between the right to privacy and the need for investigators and prosecutors to have access to data contained in modern devices, in order for them to adequately investigate, prosecute and sanction cyber-crimes. In addition, a simulated oral proceeding in a criminal trial was also held prior to the conclusion of the event, also patterned on real-life situations, and demonstrating the manner in which the various aspects examined during the three-day workshop play out in criminal proceedings.

This event in Paraguay marks the first training course directed to judges and magistrates of the Americas by the OAS Cyber-Crime Training Program under the auspices of the REMJA and its Working Group on Cyber-Crime. Similar regional events are scheduled to take place during 2015 for OAS Member States from the Andean Region, Central-America, and the Caribbean, respectively.

For more information visit the Inter-American Cooperation Portal on Cyber-Crime