More than 70 representatives of various Uruguayan authorities involved in drafting and enforcing the national legislation participated in a high-level workshop aimed at identifying solutions on strengthening the country’s capacity to deal with cases involving cybercrime and electronic evidence. The meeting benefited from the presence and support of Deputy Secretary of the Presidency and high level officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affair, Unit for Regulating the Communication Services and the Agency for Digital Government and Informational Society and Knowledge. The representatives of the Council of Europe and the experts shared with the audience insights on how to make use and the opportunities offered by the mechanism of the Budapest Convention for an enhanced criminal justice response.
The discussions evolved around specific topics such as: the need to update the national legislation (at both substantive and procedural levels), institutional reforms and training of staff, international cooperation and new challenges and trends with respect to international standards (the Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention).
The event offered the possibility for the Uruguayan authorities to explore together with the experts and the Council of Europe representatives the options on capacity building on cybercrime and electronic evidence and to pave the way to a potential accession of Uruguay to the Budapest Convention.
His Excellency, Ambassador Gustavo Álvarez, Director of International Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affair, concluded that: “The workshop highlighted a consensus approach between Uruguay and the European Union to cybercrime and on the need of collaborative efforts among states. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will play a crucial role and will follow closely the adhesion process, involving the competent stakeholders in the ongoing national consultations. With respect to external relations, we will continue to actively participate in the various international bodies, by strengthening the dialogue.”
Second Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores
Unidad Reguladora de Servicios de Comunicaciones
Agencia de Gobierno Electrónico y Sociedad de la Información y del Conocimiento
