Cyberspace, human rights and international law intersect in the Pacific
The Cyber and Critical Tech Cooperation Program has continued to promote understanding of how international law applies in cyberspace in the Pacific region with the completion of an updated executive course on Friday, 10 September 2021.
Delivered by Cyber Law International, the seven day course aligns closely to the International Cyber and Critical Tech Engagement Strategy’s priorities of applying international law to cyberspace and promoting human rights online.
Following a successful pilot for Southeast Asian officials in February, 15 participants dialled in from across the Pacific to virtually discuss some of the major cyber challenges facing the region. Representatives included legal and policy officials from Kiribati, Tonga, Fiji, Tuvalu, French Polynesia, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Marshall Islands as well as Australia and New Zealand.
Guided by leading experts in the field, the International Law in the Cyber Era: Finding Balance Between State Interests and Individual Rights executive course encouraged participants to consider how international law, individual rights, cyber activities and national security can strengthen cyber and critical technology resilience.
Scenario-based learning led to several lively discussions and debates regarding how countries should respond to the regional challenges presented by cyberspace in a way that both maintains international legal rules and supports national interests.
Liis Vihul, CEO of Cyber Law International, commented that the course focussed on some of the most pressing issues relating to the exercise and enjoyment of human rights in cyberspace, such as the dissemination of false or misleading information online, government surveillance activities, measures taken to manage the Covid-19 pandemic including contact tracing applications, and more.
Congratulations to the participants who obtained completion certificates and well done to the faculty for running another professional virtual course.
