eyeWitness to Atrocities: A Vital Tool for Documenting War Crimes in Ukraine
The eyeWitness to Atrocities application, developed by the International Bar Association (IBA), has emerged as a crucial tool in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, which has persisted since 2014. Launched in 2015, the app was designed to document war crimes and human rights violations, providing a means for victims to record evidence that can be used in legal proceedings. As the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation began in 2022, the relevance of this application became even more pronounced, as millions of Ukrainians faced the harsh realities of war crimes and the urgent need for legal validation of their experiences.
The Importance of Documenting War Crimes
In the wake of the invasion, Ukrainians have not only been subjected to the horrors of war but have also grappled with the challenge of legally proving these atrocities. The documentation of war crimes is not merely an exercise in seeking justice in international courts; it also serves practical purposes, such as securing material compensation and affirming the rights of victims. The eyeWitness to Atrocities app plays a pivotal role in this process, allowing users to capture and authenticate evidence of war crimes in a manner that meets legal standards.
How the eyeWitness App Works
The eyeWitness to Atrocities app is designed to facilitate the controlled recording of images, videos, and audio, embedding essential information that demonstrates the authenticity of the materials captured. Each recording is "signed" with a cryptographic signature, geotagging, and a timestamp, ensuring that the evidence cannot be tampered with. Dmytro Gladkyi, a lawyer and representative of eyeWitness to Atrocities in Ukraine, emphasizes that the app addresses a key challenge in documentation: the authentication of materials. By preserving the unaltered metadata of each recording, the app enhances the credibility of the evidence collected.
The app’s features allow users to document thousands of cases of attacks on civilian infrastructure and violations of international humanitarian law. CyberLab Executive Director Serhiy Denisenko notes that the app’s capabilities enable the content transmitted through it to be considered digital evidence, which is crucial for legal proceedings.
Technical Features and Security Measures
The technical team behind eyeWitness has integrated several innovative features to ensure the app’s effectiveness and security. According to Nigel Richards, a technical expert for eyeWitness, the application employs metadata integration to automatically collect GPS coordinates, date, and time, securely embedding this information within media files. The footage captured is encrypted on the recording device, preventing alterations and preserving its evidentiary value.
Regular cybersecurity audits are conducted to identify and address potential vulnerabilities, ensuring that the app remains resilient against emerging threats. User feedback has also played a significant role in the app’s iterative improvements, enhancing its performance and reliability in challenging environments.
Anonymity and User Safety
Given the sensitive nature of the information being recorded, the app developers have implemented several measures to protect user anonymity and safety. Users are encouraged to register with a pseudonym, and the app’s icon can be disguised as a regular camera or calculator. Additionally, the app prevents screenshots, further safeguarding the user’s identity.
Once content is captured and uploaded, it is stored on eyeWitness’s secure servers, allowing users to delete it from their devices for added security. The app also features a fake PIN code function, redirecting unauthorized users to the regular gallery on the phone if they enter the wrong code, thus concealing the sensitive content.
Despite these precautions, experts caution that no system can guarantee 100% security in conflict zones. Users must remain vigilant about the potential risks associated with documenting war crimes.
From Documentation to Legal Action
Since the onset of the full-scale invasion, Ukrainian users of the eyeWitness app have documented over 53,000 pieces of media content containing evidence of war crimes committed by Russian troops. This material is actively utilized in national and international investigations, including those conducted by the International Criminal Court and Europol.
The coalition "Ukraine. Fifth Morning," which comprises over 30 human rights organizations, has leveraged the eyeWitness app to systematize testimonies regarding attacks on civilians, illegal detentions, and other crimes against humanity. The app’s collaboration with the Ukrainian Bar Association and the Prosecutor General’s Office further underscores its significance in legal proceedings.
Dmytro Gladkyi asserts that the materials collected through eyeWitness have real applications in criminal cases, with a high level of verification ensuring their admissibility in courts. The digital fixation of evidence helps mitigate issues related to the absence of witnesses or the manipulation of materials.
Challenges Ahead
While the eyeWitness to Atrocities app has proven to be an effective tool for documenting war crimes, the sheer volume of evidence being collected poses challenges for the Ukrainian legal system. With the number of recorded war crimes approaching 150,000 and law enforcement documenting 200-300 incidents daily, the influx of information could overwhelm the judicial system.
As the conflict continues, the role of digital tools like eyeWitness will only grow in importance. They not only serve to document atrocities but also provide a means for victims to seek justice and compensation for the damages they have suffered.
In conclusion, the eyeWitness to Atrocities application stands as a testament to the power of technology in the fight against impunity. By enabling individuals to document and authenticate evidence of war crimes, it plays a crucial role in the pursuit of justice for victims in Ukraine and beyond.