UNODC, Egypt Gov. Convene Panel Discussion on Digital Evidence, Cyberviolence Against Women, Girls

The Egyptian Court of Cassation, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa (ROMENA), and with the support of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, convened a high-level panel discussion on “The Admissibility of Digital Evidence before Criminal Courts” in Cairo on 3–4 May 2026.

Bringing together approximately 40 senior (male and female) judges of the Court of Cassation, the panel discussion underscored the growing importance of addressing cybercrime in today’s digital environment, particularly as it increasingly affects women and girls through the various forms of online violence. In such cases, digital evidence plays a central role in establishing facts, identifying perpetrators, and supporting judicial decision-making.

In his opening remarks, Judge Mohamed Mohamed Abdel Aal Aref, First Deputy Head of the Court of Cassation stated: “Technological development, while offering significant opportunities for progress and prosperity, has given rise to unprecedented legal and judicial challenges, among the most prominent of which is the issue of digital evidence and the questions it raises regarding its legality, admissibility, methods of collection, preservation, and evaluation.” He added that the real challenge is not whether to accept or reject digital evidence, but rather in achieving a delicate balance between the requirements of criminal justice on the one hand and the protection of human rights on the other. He also commended the fruitful cooperation with international partners, particularly UNODC, for its provision of technical support and specialized expertise that contribute to strengthening the capacities of the judicial system.

Cristina Albertin, UNODC Regional Representative, stated: “In today’s evolving digital landscape, digital evidence is essential to cyber violence cases against women and girls, as both the conduct and its proof are often embedded in online spaces. Its growing role raises key legal and procedural challenges, including authenticity, reliability, lawful collection, chain of custody, privacy, proportionality, and the rights of all parties. This panel discussion examines the full lifecycle of digital evidence, from legal frameworks and admissibility to collection, preservation, handling, and documentation, in light of international standards, highlighting key gaps and practical challenges in implementation.”

In this context, the discussions focused on strengthening judicial capacity to assess and handle digital evidence effectively. Participants examined key legal and procedural considerations, including authenticity, integrity, chain of custody, and the challenges of cross-border access to digital data. The exchanges also highlighted comparative legal approaches and emerging jurisprudence from different jurisdictions, reflecting the need for legal frameworks to continuously adapt to technological change.

The panel discussion forms part of the broader UNODC’s project “Strengthening the Egyptian Authorities’ Capacity to Prevent, Protect, Detect, Investigate, and Adjudicate Cases of Online Violence against Women and Girls,” funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The project supports a comprehensive response to cyberviolence against women and girls, including strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, enhancing forensic and investigative capacities, improving coordination across justice institutions, and reinforcing support services for victims throughout the criminal justice process.

The event also follows Egypt’s signature of the United Nations Convention on Cybercrime, underscoring its active role in international efforts to strengthen cooperation against cybercrime, including its contribution as Vice-Chair of the drafting process.