Mobile app to aid prosecution of human rights atrocities

NEW DELHI: International Bar Association (IBA) has launched a mobile app that captures verifiable images to aid prosecution of human rights atrocities.

The IBA with support from LexisNexis Legal & Professional has launched the 'eyeWitness to Atrocities 'app – a new tool for documenting and reporting human rights atrocities in a secure and verifiable way so that the information can be used as evidence in a court of law.

With social media increasingly becoming the forum for communicating human rights, many online images have raised awareness of atrocities around the world but typically lack the attribution or information necessary to be used as evidence in a court of law.

But now anyone with an Android-enabled smartphone can download the 'eyeWitness to Atrocities' app and help hold accountable perpetrators of atrocity crimes, such as genocide, crimes against humanity, torture and war crimes.

‘The eyeWitness to Atrocities' app will be a transformational tool in the fight for human rights, providing a solution to the evidentiary challenges surrounding mobile phone footage, said IBA Executive Director Mark Ellis.

"Until now, it has been extremely difficult to verify the authenticity of these images and to protect the safety of those brave enough to record them. As an advocate for the voiceless, the International Bar Association is dedicated to empowering activists on the ground who are witnessing these atrocities with the ability to bring criminals to justice,” said Ellis.

The design of the app is based on extensive research on the rules of evidence in international, regional and national courts and tribunals. It includes several features to guarantee authenticity, facilitate verification and protect confidentiality by allowing the user to decide whether or not to be anonymous.

"Putting information and technology in the hands of citizens worldwide has a powerful role to play in advancing the rule of law," said Ian McDougall, EVP and General Counsel of LexisNexis Legal & Professional.

LexisNexis Legal & Professional’s world class data hosting capabilities will provide the eyeWitness program with the same technology that we use to safeguard sensitive and confidential material for our clients every day, McDougall added.