The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PGA) has extended its congratulations to Sierra Leone for officially becoming the 71st State Party to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.

This significant achievement follows dedicated efforts and advocacy by various stakeholders, including PGA Member Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawally. With the support of the Council of Europe Cybercrime Division, Hon. Tarawally participated in a Practitioner Workshop at an International Conference in Costa Rica in 2022. The workshop focused on promoting the role of women in preventing, investigating, and prosecuting cybercrime.

Since then, Hon. Tarawally has remained actively engaged in promoting cybersecurity initiatives within the Parliament of Sierra Leone. She has also maintained bilateral interactions with the Ministry of Information and Communications, advocating for prompt accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime.

On February 8th, 2024, the Parliament of Sierra Leone approved accession to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, marking a significant milestone in the country’s commitment to combating cyber threats.

In light of this achievement, the PGA commends Sierra Leone for its dedication to enhancing cybersecurity measures and contributing to international efforts to combat cybercrime.

The accession to the Budapest Convention reaffirms Sierra Leone’s commitment to upholding global cybersecurity standards and protecting its citizens from online threats.