The collapse of the cybercrime case against Alberto August may now lead to changes in Belize’s Cybercrime Act. Attorney General Anthony Sylvestre says government is reviewing specific sections of the law to make sure it cannot be used to criminalize defamation. The case, triggered by a complaint from former Police Minister Oscar Mira over a Facebook post, stirred national debate about free speech, online criticism and the reach of cybercrime laws. Sylvestre says cyberbullying and cybercrime still need regulation, but the law must be clear about what belongs in criminal court.
Anthony Sylvestre
Anthony Sylvestre, Attorney General
“It’s not the entire act which is subject to review. There are only specific provisions because one has to be , cautious because a cybercrime legislation is necessary. It’s important and necessary to regulate the conduct of persons on social media and in other and any other forum where bullying takes place. So cyberbullying is real. The concern that, and it’s a valid concern that was raised by the public, and was that whether certain provisions might be such that it actually addresses as somebody, as one of my colleague had referred to it as criminalizing defamation. So, in that respect, the concern was to look at those provisions that may be regarded or possibly can be regarded as criminalizing defamation and ensuring that it, in fact, doesn’t do that. Because, whilst we appreciate and we accept that cyber, cyberbullying is something real and something that has harmful effects on members of the society people at large and it’s important that the state regulate that. We at the same time don’t want to have a situation where you have on your law books, provisions that are, as I indicated, in the realm of, of possible criminalizing of defamation. And so those are things that are under review and we’re hopeful that we might be able to, to have an amendment at the next House meeting.”
Sylvestre also stated that Attorney General’s Ministry did not advise authorities on the cybercrime charge against Alberto Augusr, as criminal prosecutions are outside its role.
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