Madam Speaker, the Government remains deeply committed to protecting our citizens against emerging forms of crime, including those committed in the digital space. As information and communication technologies continue to evolve at an exponential pace, cyber threats have become increasingly complex, sophisticated and transnational. In this context, the Mauritius Police Force has set up in 2006 a Cybercrime Unit under the Central Criminal Investigation Department to detect, investigate, and prosecute cyber-related criminal offences. As regards part (a) of the question, I am informed by the Commissioner of Police that, as at 07 November 2025, the Cybercrime Unit is headed by an Assistant Superintendent of Police and comprises 14 other Police Officers of different ranks namely – (a) another Assistant Superintendent of Police; (b) 1 Woman Chief Inspector; (c) 1 Police Inspector; (d) 6 Police Sergeants; (e) 1 Woman Police Sergeant, and (f) 4 Police Constables. I am further informed, Madam Speaker, that Cybercrime-related cases are reported either at Police Stations or directly at the Central CID. They are meant to refer the cases which are complex in nature and which require specialised technical expertise to the Cybercrime Unit for in-depth investigation. Furthermore, the Police collaborates closely with the CERT-MU which is under the aegis of the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation. The CERT-MU manages the Mauritian Cybercrime Online Reporting System (MAUCORS) which is a national centralised cyber incident reporting system that allows citizens and organisations to report cyber incidents/

27 cybercrime online. Complaints made through MAUCORS and which disclose any criminal offence, are also referred to the Cybercrime Unit for investigation. The complainants of such cases are advised to make formal declarations to the Police, and enquiries are then initiated on the basis of the declaration. Notwithstanding reported cases, the Cybercrime Unit may also initiate an investigation proprio motu into cases detected during cyber patrols effected by the unit. With regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed that from January 2023 to 07 November 2025, a total of 837 cases including those from MAUCORS have been referred to the Cybercrime Unit for investigation. During the course of the enquiries 1,038 statements have been recorded from complainants, witnesses, as well as suspects and 120 persons have been arrested. Out of the 837 cases – (i) 167 of them have been filed for various reasons including insufficient evidence for prosecution and accused being untraceable; (ii) 4 cases have been filed following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions; (iii) 640 cases are still under enquiry, and (iv) 21 cases are awaiting advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions; (v) 5 cases have been lodged before the Court. So far, Madam Speaker, it is telling that no conviction has been secured. This is why, Madam Speaker, during my recent state visit to the Republic of India, I solicited the assistance of India. Further to this, a team from the Maharashtra Cyber Department of the Government of Maharashtra came to Mauritius and participated in a workshop organised by the Ministry of Information Technology, Communication and Innovation from 30 October to 05 November 2025 on strengthening our national capabilities in cybersecurity and cybercrime prevention. I had a meeting with them together with the Minister for Information Technology, Communication and Innovation. We are moving forward for full collaboration with local experts to ensure that those people who post unwarranted posts are detected and brought to justice. This collaboration between Mauritius and Maharashtra, will enhance knowledge exchange, capacity building of our law enforcement agencies and development of sustainable solutions tailored to the Mauritian context for restructuring of the existing processes. These are concrete

28 examples of the Government’s will to constantly improve. That is another example and we are grateful to India for again helping Mauritius in this.

Thank you. Yes, supplementary question.

Choquant ! Aucune condamnation ! D’un côté, on incite les victimes à parler mais de l’autre côté, on laisse les agresseurs impunis. Grave disfonctionnement ! Le Premier ministre peut-il indiquer à la Chambre, s’il trouve acceptable que la Cybercrime Unit refuse d’enregistrer une deuxième déclaration d’une victime sous prétexte qu’une première a déjà été déposée ? Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente.

I did not know if it says a first has been deposited. If there was something additional – I do not know if there was something additional – then, they should have had.

Yes!

Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente. À 17 ans, une élève de SC s’est donnée la mort – paix à son âme – après la diffusion de photos intimes d’elle sur les réseaux. Le Premier ministre peut-il indiquer à la Chambre s’il envisage la mise en place d’un Cyber Patrol Unit opérationnel 24 heures sur 24, capable de bloquer immédiatement toutes diffusions de photos ou de propos diffamatoires sur les réseaux afin de protéger efficacement les victimes de cyberviolence ? Je vous remercie, Madame la présidente.

In fact, I should also add that there were two other persons – I do not want to mention names or give details – who were exactly in that position; and fortunately, the Police managed to act before anybody else committed suicide or whatever. They are getting psychological support as well. However, as I said earlier on, this is why I said it, that it is telling that no conviction has been secured because it is not working as it should. This is why I have asked for the Indian Government to help. They have a very, very able team. They suggested Maharashtra, and this is what we are doing.

Thank you.

Une dernière.

29

Last question, yes. We have to move on.

S’il vous plaît, le sujet est trop pressant.

Of course!

J’ai confiance. J’ai confiance que l’actuel Premier ministre prendra les mesures nécessaires pour mettre fin à l’impunité et protéger les victimes de cyberviolence. D’ailleurs, vous êtes le seul à pouvoir le faire. Will the hon. Prime Minister inform the House what concrete measures are currently in place to support victims of cybercrime during the investigation process? Thank you, Madam Speaker.

I have been told that there are measures that are taken by the Police first. Then, they have a team which goes to the family and gives support, including psychological support, to make sure that nobody else goes into that situation.

The team from the Cybercrime Unit?

Yes. And also, psychologists.

Very interesting! Hon. Fourth Member for Port Louis North & Montagne Longue, Mr A. Duval! DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – REPORTED CASES & ORDERS ISSUED (NOV 2024-NOV 2025)