How You Can Help Uncover Darfur Human Rights Violations
Amnesty International is turning to open innovation to help uncover humans rights violations and abuses in the Sudanese region of Darfur, one of the world’s most dangerous trouble spots.
The non-governmental organization has launched Decode Darfur, an interactive platform that will allow volunteers to study thousands of square kilometers of satellite imagery where bombings and chemical weapons attacks are reported to have taken place.
It is difficult for journalists and human rights investigators to get to some of these places to bear witness, but they can be seen from space. Amnesty wants to compile evidence to corroborate victims’ testimonies.
Anyone can join the open innovation initiative. All you need is a computer or smartphone with internet connection. There are thousands of hours’ worth of data to sift through, but even if someone gives up a few minutes of time, it will be a great help.
How it Works
Once digital volunteers have signed up they will help to map a remote and barren landscape to identify villages vulnerable to attack. This is the first phase of the project. In the second phase, volunteers will compare before and after images of the villages to highlights those that have been attacked and/or destroyed.
“This is an ambitious, revolutionary project that marks a fundamental shift in the way we view human rights research – and gives anyone with internet access the chance to help expose some of the world’s gravest injustices,” said Milena Marin, Amnesty International’s Senior Innovations Campaigner.
For more details about Decode Darfur and to sign up to take part, click here.
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