The Council of Europe is holding a Conference under the name “Octopus Conference Cooperation against Cybercrime” between 4 – 6 December 2013 in Strasbourg, France as its main focus would be on building safeguards and data protection tools and policies. The Conference is also hosting few workshops on policies and initiatives on cybercrime of international and private sector organisations; transborder access to data; protecting children against sexual exploatation; international cooperation for data preservation and cybercrime legislation in Asia/Pacific region.

Amelia wanted to participate and in particular she wanted to attend the discussions regarding the Budapest Cybercrime Convention, and so she registered for the event in her capacity of MEP especially active in that particular field, but she was rejected participation.

As a response to her rejection, she wrote the following Letter of Complaint to the organizers, the Council of Europe, COE (not to be confused with European Council)

Letter of complaint regarding Octopus Cyber Crime Conference

Dear Honourable Secretary-General Mr Thorbjørn Jagland,

The Budapest Cyber Crime Convention has been defining for Internet development and opportunities for industry for more than 10 years. It's an important issue, and concerns both the trust and the confidence for the markets of the European Union.

The Convention has been controversial and caused concern for both human rights and industry in every country where it is implemented. As a Member of the European Parliament following closely issues of industry and market developments in the online environment, I have inquired in various places about the Convention but was given the impression that no revision process was upcoming due to its controversial nature.

It was a a surprise when I learned that the Council of Europe is indeed organizing regular conferences in Strasbourg to establish additional protocols to the Convention.
Unfortunately, those initiatives do not seem to assess the importance of the recent revelations of mass surveillance and their harmful impact on human rights. They rather seem to fail putting those human rights as well as a friendly environment for European business at the centre of  the internet reforms

To further my concerns, the Council of Europe has rejected my participation in this meeting. It is disappointing to learn that the Octopus conference restricts the access of democratically elected European representatives to its proceedings. It is also my concern that this undermines the democratic legitimacy of the process.

With strong concerns raised by both European citizens, civil society and European industries on the topics addressed at the Octopus Conference, it seems both appropriate and relevant to ensure the participation of democratically elected representatives from the European level.

It is my expectation that the Secretary-General will take a personal interest in this issue, and ensure a fair and balanced participation of many different parties in discussions leading towards a Cyber Crime Convention reform from now on.

I would like to thank you, Mr Secretary General, for the attention you will give to my letter.

Sincerely Yours,

Amelia Andersdotter
Member of the European Parliament
Piratpartiet, Sweden