Book

In an era where conflict zones are frequently shrouded in communication blackouts and restricted field access, open-source has transformed the landscape of human rights monitoring. From geolocating satellite imagery to verifying user-generated content across social media, open-source investigation offers an indispensable lens for documenting atrocities and advancing legal accountability. Nahom Nadew Zerihun examines the intersection of technology, human rights law, and evidentiary standards within the complex context of contemporary Ethiopia. Drawing on rigorous legal analysis and empirical insights, the book addresses key challenges and opportunities: How open-source tools can meet rigorous international and domestic legal standards for documenting gross human rights violations. Best practices for verification, outcome harvesting, data protection, and mitigating ethical risks in digital investigations. Crucial for human rights advocates, legal practitioners, policymakers, and investigative researchers, this book serves as an essential guide to harnessing digital verification for justice in the Horn of Africa and beyond.