Joint Civil Society Statement on Cyber Peace and Human Security at the 2021 UN General Assembly First Committee on Disarmament and International Security

Today, 8 October 2021, the Cybersecurity Tech Accord is proudly supporting the joint civil society statement on cyber peace and security that was delivered to the 76th session of the UN General Assembly First Committee on Disarmament and International Security taking place from 4 October–4 November 2021. The Cybersecurity Tech Accord along with 13 signatories including civil society, industry representatives and members of the international community, are united in calling on UN Member States to respect human security in cyberspace and defer from any use of technology-facilitated-violence. The group sets stresses six recommendations to states:

1. Halt the development and deployment of harmful cyber capabilities directed against critical infrastructure, including health and information infrastructure;
2. Implement the already-agreed norms for behaviour in cyber space, namely the recommendations from the UN’s GGE and OEWG;
3. Close the existing accountability gap by adopting multilateral mechanisms that will foster transparency, uphold state responsibility, and prevent conflict, as well as deter technology-enabled human rights abuses.
4. Recognise the human rights impact of international cyber operations and refrain from using cyber security-related laws, policies, and practices as a pretext to violate human rights and fundamental freedoms.
5. Ensure the regular and meaningful participation of non-governmental stakeholders in the second OEWG and in any future UN forums;
6. Seek complementarity and communication between and among the various processes on cyber-related issues and digital security, including those established by the First Committee, the Third Committee, the UN Secretary-General, and related human rights and technical bodies.

You can find the full statement here or download a copy below.