Cybercrime Laws in the Arab World

In the past few years, numerous countries in the Arab World have enacted or updated existing laws to counter cybercrimes. While such laws are intended to govern and perhaps prevent cybercrimes, they often constrict or limit one’s freedom of expression.

On this basis, Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ) together with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, is committed to addressing this topic in the Arab Region. By publishing a joint policy paper, we address the topics of press freedom and the freedom of expression in the Arab World.

This year’s Policy Paper, entitled “Cybercrime Laws in the Arab World” was conducted together with Jordanian Media Expert Yahya Shqair, and delves into the impacts of the Arab World’s cybercrime laws on the freedom of opinion and expression.

The report concludes with a list of recommendations including, but not limited to: 1. Any restrictions on freedom of electronic publication must comply with international standards.

2. It is necessary to raise awareness of the gravity of the situation on cybercrime laws and increase media literacy to all institutions (including mosques and churches, family, education, media).

3. The use of broad, vague and ambiguous text in punitive legislation should be avoided. Definitions of offenses should be clearly understood by the general public and not only by judges and lawyers.

4. The imposition of imprisonment or blocking websites on the Internet should only be used in the most serious crimes.

5. The imposition of high fines on violators should be avoided.

Download the Arabic and English versions of the Policy Paper below: