Committee Opinion | Doc. 14536 | 24 April 2018
Legal challenges related to hybrid war and human rights obligations
Committee on Culture, Science, Education and Media
A. Conclusions of the committee
(open)B. Proposed amendments
(open)Amendment A (to the draft resolution)
After paragraph 1, insert the following paragraph:
“The Assembly recalls its previous texts regarding cybercrime, including Recommendation 2077 (2015) on increasing co-operation against cyberterrorism and other large-scale attacks on the Internet; Resolution 1986 (2014) on improving user protection and security in cyberspace and Resolution 1565 (2007) “How to prevent cybercrime against State institutions in member and observer states?”. The policy guidelines contained therein are relevant as important instruments for the prevention of hybrid war consequences.”
Amendment B (to the draft resolution)
In the second sentence of paragraph 2, after the words “a country’s strategic infrastructure, such as”, add the words “energy supply,”.
Amendment C (to the draft resolution)
After paragraph 2, insert the following paragraph:
“The Assembly also expresses deep concern regarding numerous cases of mass disinformation campaigns intended to undermine security, public order and peaceful democratic processes. There is a vital need to develop tools to protect democracy from ‘information weapons’, while preserving freedom of expression and freedom of the media in the country under attack.”
Amendment D (to the draft resolution)
After paragraph 8.2, insert the following paragraph:
“maintain exchange of information regarding hybrid aggressions in Europe and share experience and good practice in countering hybrid threats;”
C. Explanatory memorandum by Mr Volodymyr Ariev, rapporteur for opinion
(open)1. General remarks
2. Rationale of the proposed amendments to the draft resolution
Amendment A
It seems appropriate to recall in the draft resolution previous reports of the Assembly regarding co-operation against cyberterrorism, security in cyberspace and prevention of cybercrime. The policy guidelines contained therein are to me most relevant in the present context.
Amendment B
Although paragraph 2 does not intend to give an exhaustive list of elements describing “hybrid war”, it seems important to explicitly mention threats to energy supply, to complete the picture.
Amendment C
In recent years, mass disinformation campaigns have become more frequent, intense and dangerous. I believe it is necessary that the Assembly expresses its deep concern about the matter and calls on States to develop tools to protect democracy from “information weapons”.
Amendment D
Maintaining exchange of information and sharing experience and good practice in countering hybrid threats is essential, so it would be important to have an explicit call in this direction in the draft resolution.