Athena Tech and Mass Atrocity Advisory LLC is a groundbreaking initiative that seeks to address the complex intersection of technology, international law, and humanitarian crises. In today's world, technology plays a crucial role in both exacerbating and alleviating mass atrocities and conflicts. Leveraging international law to advise on technology in moments of crisis is essential for ensuring that the development and deployment of technology align with human rights standards and humanitarian principles.
By integrating legal expertise with technological innovation, the partnership between The Duty legacy and Athena Tech and Atrocity Advisory aims to develop protocols and guidelines that will help tech companies navigate complex ethical and legal challenges in conflict-affected areas. This will involve providing guidance on the responsible use of data, the protection of human rights in the development and deployment of technology, and the accountability of tech companies in cases of potential complicity in mass atrocities. The partnership recognises the importance of engaging with international legal frameworks to ensure that technological advancements are harnessed for the benefit of populations affected by crises, rather than contributing to further harm. Ultimately, leveraging international law to advise on technology in moments of crisis is crucial for promoting ethical and responsible tech practices in the context of mass atrocities and conflicts across the globe.
Social media platforms have a significant role to play in the prevention of mass atrocity, combatting hate speech, and denial, as well as in leveraging open source data for early warning and response. Firstly, social media companies should prioritize the development and enforcement of policies that explicitly prohibit hate speech, incitement to violence, and the spread of misinformation. This entails the implementation of robust content moderation mechanisms and the deployment of AI-powered tools to identify and remove harmful content. Additionally, fostering partnerships with civil society orgmmnanizations and local communities to tailor strategies for specific regions and contexts will be crucial for effectively combatting hate speech and incitement on their platforms.
Furthermore, social media platforms can harness open source data to contribute to the early detection, response, and documentation of mass atrocities by collaborating with human rights organizations and research institutions. By sharing relevant data and insights with relevant stakeholders, they can help facilitate evidence-based advocacy, accountability efforts, and the protection of vulnerable populations. It's essential for social media platforms to recognize their responsibility in leveraging open source data to enhance the understanding of conflict dynamics and support preventive actions. Overall, the proactive engagement of social media platforms in addressing these challenges can help mitigate the risks of mass atrocities and promote a safer online environment.
Commenting on the collaboration James Joseph, Director of The Duty Legacy commented that:
The Partnership with Athena will address the challenges posed by social media, digital evidence and open source data in plugging the accountability gap in mass atrocity situation.
Shannon Raj Singh is an American attorney specialized in international criminal law. She is a Visiting Fellow of Practice at the Blavatnik School of Government and the Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict, where she is researching the prevention of mass atrocities. Specifically, Shannon is working with Federica D’Alessandra, Executive Director of Oxford’s International Peace and Security Program, to articulate the due diligence obligations of States from the moment they receive early warnings of mass atrocities, and to set forth policy prescriptions regarding the domestic implementation of preventive obligations under international law. Shannon’s work builds upon her appointment as Special Rapporteur on the ILC Draft Articles for Crimes Against Humanity on behalf of the International Bar Association’s War Crimes Committee, and her advocacy in support of the draft convention.
Mass atrocities often leave indelible scars through violence, trauma and loss of life. While international criminal tribunals play an important role in seeking justice, their work can feel detached from communities most impacted. Open source data offers an opportunity to center victim voices and experiences in new ways. Organisations lthat collect publicly available photos, videos and geo-located data documenting human rights abuses. This serves as primary source evidence but also a record of lived experiences. When integrated respectfully into investigations and prosecutions, it can help establish patterns of criminality while honoring those who suffered.
Open source data is increasingly used to corroborate witness testimony and fill evidentiary gaps. However, more can be done to involve communities in the collection and use of this data to ensure it accurately reflects diverse perspectives. Partnering with organisations focused on victim advocacy, like The Duty Legacy, could strengthen this approach.
Looking ahead, continued collaboration between open source investigators, legal professionals and advocacy groups presents opportunities to develop innovative accountability models. By centering the experiences of those most impacted, justice can be pursued in a manner that is both effective and empowering for communities seeking recognition of their trauma and resilience in the face of atrocity.