24 C
Port Louis
Friday, March 29, 2024

Download The App:

Read in French

spot_img

Cybersecurity And Cybercrimes Bill Voted Without Amendment

Must Read

The Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Bill was passed without amendment this Friday evening in the National Assembly. Several parliamentarians intervened during the debates on the Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Bill, which aims to toughen the fight against cyber-attacks to better protect the population. On Tuesday and Friday, the majority of parliamentarians voted in favor of this law. Then on Friday, others intervened. Below, some of the interventions.

Deepak Balgobin

“It is the court that will decide on the sentences,” said Deepak Balgobin

In his summing up, Technology Minister Deepak Balgobin set the record straight. He clarified all the details of the bill, especially the need for it.

Minister Balgobin took the opportunity to remind his critics who believe that the sentences are too severe, that if there are offenses, it will be the court to decide on penalties, imprisonment … “It will of course in relation to the seriousness of the crime, and I think everyone agrees that our judicial system is independent.

Responding to Nando Bodha, who said that this bill is anti-constitutional, the minister asked him to say “How?” and give examples!

During his summing up, the minister reiterated that this bill is to protect our children from pedophiles, “is this a threat to people’s freedom?”

The government, he added, wants to act against false profiles, especially those who hide to cause harm to our children, our youth, our elderly, anyone who is vulnerable. But some people want us to let them do as they please.

And those who post racist comments, or accept them on their walls.

We don’t want to let these malicious people threaten our national security. However, some people want to support them. Besides, he says, on the other side of the room, there are only defenders of fake profiles!

Shakeel Mohamed

Shakeel Mohamed believes that this is almost a copy of the old law

“I agree with the minister who presented this law. At least seven offenses that existed in the old law of 2003 have been more or less reproduced in the cybersecurity and cybercrime bill,” said the MP for No. 3. Before adding that some have been updated, so that Mauritius is in line with the Budapest Convention, in terms of cybersecurity.

However, says Shakeel Mohamed, this bill has the potential to hurt Internet users who criticize the government. Comments could be interpreted as inaccurate and could lead to arrests and fines.

Nando Bodha
Nando Bodha

Nando Bodha advocates for a supervisory committee

“Instead of implementing this law, I propose that we set up a cybersecurity supervisory authority, with experts from the public and private sector. This committee will have an eye on this sector,” said Nando Bodha.

The opposition member of parliament called for the rights of every citizen to be respected. Citing statistics, he said that 850,000 people have Facebook accounts and that the country has two million subscribers to the cell phone network. The number of LinkedIn account holders is 350,000 and the number of those on Twitter is 400,000. Thousands of messages are sent daily.

Kalpana Koonjoo-Shah

Kalpana Koonjoo-Shah “Let’s ensure the protection of our children”

The Minister of Gender Equality, expressed concern about the rise of cybercrimes in Mauritius. Fake accounts are created with the intention of causing harm. Therefore, the objective of this bill is to protect every citizen.

There is no reason to deny the freedom of expression of each person. Mauritius, she reminds, is a democratic country. Everyone has the right to express himself.

Through this bill, everyone’s cyberspace will be secured.

Unpatriotic actions should not be tolerated as much as hateful comments that can inflame the country.

This bill, she said, is timely in protecting our children, who use the Internet a lot because of online classes. They are even more exposed and with this bill, we can ensure their protection.

Richard Duval: “It’s a sine qua non to protect us”

Richard Duval: “We live in the age of technology and innovation and it’s a sine qua non to protect ourselves from cyber-attacks and other attacks on individuals and even our country, from malicious people.”

- Advertisement -spot_img

More Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

- Advertisement -spot_img

Latest Articles