On 15 April 2025, the CyberSouth+ project, a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe implemented by the Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe (C-PROC), organised an online regional workshop on the First Additional Protocol to the Convention on Cybercrime, concerning the criminalisation of acts of a racist and xenophobic nature committed through computer systems.
The workshop gathered some 40 criminal justice representatives from project partner countries who showed notable interest in discussing the relevance and impact of the First Additional Protocol, as well as topics related to enhanced cooperation for accessing electronic evidence and the protection of freedom of expression.
Participants achieved a better understanding of the role of the First Additional Protocol in harmonising substantive criminal law in the fight against racism and xenophobia on the Internet, including its practical implications and the benefits of signing and implementing the instrument.
Cybercrime Programme Office of the Council of Europe (C-PROC)
Convention on Cybercrime (Budapest Convention)
First Additional Protocol to the Budapest Convention
Council of Europe North-South Centre: Kotor Declaration proposes youth strategies to combat racist and xenophobic acts through computer systems (Newsroom)