On Wednesday, 4 June 2025, the Minister of Justice of Malta, Mr Johnathan Attard, deposited the instrument of ratification of the First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems (ETS No. 189).

The event took place in Strasbourg in the presence of the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Mr Alain Berset, in the margins of the Octopus Conference 2025 and in co-operation with the Maltese Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe.

With Malta, 38 States are now Parties to the First Additional Protocol.

 Council of Europe:  First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems (ETS No. 189) (Treaty Office webpage)

 Council of Europe: First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime (dedicated webpage)

 Council of Europe: International conference on xenophobia and racism committed through computer systems (dedicated webpage)

 Council of Europe: Maltese Presidency to the Committee of Ministers