Sarkha Project is dedicated to uncovering and documenting human rights abuses and war crimes committed against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. Through meticulous collection, verification, and analysis of open-source evidence, our organization aims to expose the realities faced by vulnerable populations in these conflict-affected regions.
Open source evidence refers to information that is publicly available and can be accessed, verified, and analyzed through various online platforms. This type of evidence includes social media posts, official reports, and videos and testimonies shared by eyewitnesses, which collectively provide critical insights into events and human rights violations. By leveraging open source evidence, organizations like Sarkha Project can document and validate incidents of war crimes, ensuring that accounts of abuses are substantiated and accessible to a broader audience. This approach fosters transparency, accountability, and support for the victims, contributing to a more informed discourse around justice and human rights.
Sarkha Project employs a rigorous methodology to ensure evidence is admissible in criminal cases. Each piece of evidence is cross-referenced for authenticity and reliability. Our experts analyze the evidence using established legal standards to determine its relevance to specific human rights violations. By adhering to stringent protocols, Sarkha Project enhances the credibility of the evidence, making it a valuable resource for legal actions seeking justice for victims of war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. At Sarkha Project, we understand the complexity and fragmented nature of evidence in conflict situations. Rather than submitting isolated pieces of evidence, we create comprehensive evidence packages, or bodies of evidence, that capture the full scope of an incident or topic ie. Torture, Starvation, Hospital Bombings.
When an event occurs multiple individuals who are either witnesses, victims or both, often post videos, images, and testimonies across various social media platforms, resulting in a disjointed narrative. Our mission is to systematically collect these fragments, organizing and verifying them to construct a coherent and detailed account of the incident or topic. This meticulous process involves analyzing the context and corroborating the information from different sources, ensuring that our evidence is robust and reliable. Once we have assembled and authenticated the complete picture, we submit these organized evidence packages to legal teams and criminal investigators.
The importance of open source evidence has never been more pronounced. With the United Nations and International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan and his investigation team barred by Israel from entering Gaza—the largest crime scene in modern history—the reliance on accessible, verifiable evidence is paramount. Open source evidence can bridge the gap in areas where on-the-ground investigations are not feasible. This form of evidence has proven invaluable in documenting human rights abuses and establishing accountability.
A prominent example of the efficacy of open source evidence is found in the recent case brought by South Africa against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). South Africa's successful use of open source materials helped to substantiate claims that Israel is committing acts constituting a plausible genocide. This precedent underscores how critical such evidence is in the pursuit of justice and recognition of grave violations. As the situation in Gaza continues to unfold, open source evidence remains an essential tool for criminal investigators and international bodies striving for accountability. It serves as a powerful mechanism to hold perpetrators accountable in the face of unprecedented barriers to traditional investigative methods.
Open-source evidence has played a crucial role in uncovering and prosecuting human rights violations globally. Notable instances include videos that led to the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant for Libyan commander Al-Werfalli, as well as the use of imagery analysis to document war crimes in Syria. Additionally, social media and satellite data have been instrumental in revealing violence against Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. Open-source techniques also facilitated the tracing of missile origins in the shootdown of MH17 and confirmed civilian targeting during the attack on the Kramatorsk train station in Ukraine. These examples underscore the effectiveness of open-source methods in advancing accountability and justice.
By serving as a trusted resource for information on these critical issues, the Sarkha Project supports the pursuit of justice and accountability. We amplify the voices of those impacted by the ongoing genocide, ensuring their stories and experiences are heard on the global stage. Our platform advocates for change, shining a light on the injustices and atrocities that continue to plague the lives of Palestinians. Through our rigorous research and advocacy efforts, we strive to catalyze meaningful action and drive progress towards a more just and equitable future.