Costa Rican legislators approved the accession of the country to the European Convention on Cybercrime (CEC) in the first reading, with the intention of complementing the current Law 9048 on Computer and Related Offenses of Title VI of the Criminal Code.
The process began in August 2012, when the Executive Power presented to the plenary the possibility of joining this international agreement, which aims to punish computer crimes, the spread of child pornography, acts of racism and xenophobia by technological means, among others.
According to a study by Judge Carlos Chinchilla,
this Convention constitutes an extremely important instrument to prevent acts directed against the confidentiality, integrity and availability of computer systems, networks and computer data, creating the channels suitable for the detection, investigation and punishment of crimes, thanks to international aid and cooperation.
The agreement includes Canada, Japan, South Africa and the United States. Others such as Argentina, Chile, Mexico and the Dominican Republic have been invited to join, but none have completed the process, which could make Costa Rica the first country in the region to fully adhere.
Members of the Cybersecurity Commission and the CPIC will be the ones to follow up on this process, in view of a successful incorporation. In addition, they hope to achieve a Judiciary-CPIC Convention, to judge on computer issues, in addition to training members and officials of the judiciary, judges, and investigators in technical topics, so that they have the necessary tools for the correct implementation of the detection and punishment mechanisms.