Regional Countries Urged to Modernize Their Cyber-Crime Laws

ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada – The United States Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Linda S. Taglialatela, Wednesday recommended that member countries of the Bridgetown-based Regional Security System (RSS) update their cyber-crime laws.

US Ambassador Linda S. Taglialatela addressing RSS Council of Ministers meeting (CMC Photo)Addressing the RSS Council of Ministers meeting here, the US diplomat said that criminal activity facilitated by information technology keeps rising, particularly due to the use of mobile phones to plan and carry out criminal activity.

“As a result, more and more countries are relying on exploiting evidence on mobile devices to achieve successful prosecutions. In 2017, the RSS, with the support of the United States, opened its Digital Forensics Laboratory. The lab continues to grow and provide cyber or digital forensic analysis services to law enforcement and military organizations in RSS member states,” she told the meeting attended by the prime ministers of the host country, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and St. Kitts-Nevis as well as national security ministers.

Ambassador Taglialatela said that with a small staff and very sophisticated software and technology, the Lab cleared over 300 cases in support of criminal investigations throughout the region.

“The United States is committed to the continued support of the lab through training, expert exchanges, and securing accreditation. And to ensure that continued success, I strongly encourage all RSS member states to pass updated cyber-crime laws,” she said.

Regarding the modernization of the criminal justice sector, the US diplomat said Washington and the United Kingdom are continuing their joint efforts through the work of the USA-UK Criminal Justice advisor, Sirah Abraham.

“Sirah continues her work in mentoring and advising your prosecutors and judges. We have also collaborated closely with your countries to draft modern criminal legislation so that the Eastern Caribbean has effective tools to fight transnational crime.”

Taglialatela said that the region continues to face security challenges and that the RSS has been instrumental in providing assistance to every member states whether it is through digital forensic analysis, capacity building through training, control of narcotics flows, or disaster assistance.

“And for that reason, I would urge you to ensure the RSS receives adequate financial resources to fulfill its mission. The United States will continue to stand by the RSS, but it is just as important that its member states do so, as well.

“This institution is a vital component to maintain peace and stability in the Eastern Caribbean. You are valuable partners to the United States in the fight against transnational organized crime. You’ve proven time and again that we share the same concerns when it comes to protecting and improving life for all the citizens privileged to live in this beautiful region,” the US diplomat said.

The head of the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS and CARICOM, Małgorzata Wasilewsk, told the opening ceremony that she believes “contributing to a stronger and more efficient role of RSS in the region does not only have a positive impact on local communities but also impact on making Europe a safer place and for that, we are very thankful”.

In his address, President of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Hyginus ‘Gene’ Leon, called on the RSS member countries to regard security as the fourth pillar of regional integration because of the role it plays in development.

“As we seek to rethink development in the region, founded on pillars of resilience, it will also be necessary to re-examine security as a regional public good, especially as a fourth pillar of integration…

“In my view, the time has come for us to recognize the benefits that can accrue from shared ownership and costs towards the long-term success in addressing security and in creating an enabling bedrock for economic resilience and sustainability,” Leon said.

The St. Lucian-born economist said he believes that there has never been a more opportune time for the regional countries to strengthen their collaboration and reinforce mutual purpose through a holistic approach.

“In assessing this forward-looking path, we can all recognize that the regional security framework is a strategic component in our integrated development agenda that cannot be separated from the pillars of economic, environmental, and social resilience,” Leon said, speaking on the topic, “Achieving Security and Development in the Caribbean through Regional Cooperation”.

The meeting here is providing a platform for the Council to exchange ideas and discuss best practices for enhancing security in the region as the RSS member states, which now include Guyana, address common challenges such as illegal arms trade, drug trafficking, and intelligence gathering.

The RSS, formed in 1982 is also engaged in national emergencies, search and rescue, immigration control, fisheries protection, customs and excise control and maritime policing duties.

The members of the RSS are Antigua and Barbuda; Barbados; Dominica; Grenada; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Kitts-Nevis and Guyana.