State govts need to strengthen investigation Agencies for quick disposal of CSAM cases: Rijiju

New Delhi: Union Minister for Law and Justice Kiren Rijiju on Thursday said the State governments need to strengthen the investigation Agencies and Forensic Labs to ensure quick disposal of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) cases. The Minister made the statement in his address on the first day of the two-day national conference on CSAM, being organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) here.
“There are a number of Fast Track Special Courts to deal with the cases of sexual violence against children. These courts have disposed of more than 1,37,000 cases. However, the disposal of such cases and the conviction rate needs to be improved.The High Courts need to look into it,” Rijiju said. He said that the Centre is committed to taking more proactive action as far as the legislations are required but Judiciary and Executive along with the Civil Society need to work in tandem to make our society safe and progressive.
The Minister added that production, distribution and consumption of CSAM is one of the most serious forms of sexual abuse faced by children and consecutively a grave violation of their human rights psychologically disrupting their development.NHRC Chairperson Justice (Retd) Arun Mishra said that prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crimes relating to online CSAM are primary responsibility of the respective States and Union Territories.
“Coordinated effort at both global and national levels will successfully make the digital world safe and secure for our children. The Internet Service Providers and Intermediaries have also to share responsibility,” he said.
Mishra said that although internet brought revolutionary changes but cyberspace is now being misused to infringe on several human rights, including individual privacy. Therefore, cyber security is the key to fight cybercrime and preserve human rights, he said and added that digital forensic development is necessary to catch and check perpetrators of CSAM. Mass awareness is also required for the internet users, Mishra added.