Training Human Rights Defenders In The Democratic Republic Of Congo

Human rights and social justice groups throughout the world gather and collect large amounts of data, yet these organizations often lack the resources to document human rights violations systematically and securely. Much of their information is stored in insecure formats that prevent it from being effectively shared. Critical documentation is also lost to viruses, computer theft, fire, neglect and staff turnover.

Information about human rights abuse is the key asset of human rights groups. The loss of this information is a problem with far-reaching implications. Social justice organizations know that timely, accurate data distribution is one of their most powerful weapons against human rights violations. NGOs gather information to draw attention to the circumstances of victims, pressure perpetrators and encourage judicial accountability. They also use field data to focus media attention and help deliver justice in the form of truth commissions and tribunals. Without the collection and use of such information, human rights campaigns have limited chance of success.

In an effort to address this critical problem, Benetech developed Martus a secure software application designed to gather, organize and back up human rights information. Launched in 2003, Martus is a free and open source information management technology that supports effective collaboration within social justice organizations.

Martus Outreach Coordinator Vijaya Tripathi has just completed training staff members of human rights NGOs in the Democratic Republic of Congo. During her visit, she also had an opportunity to meet the staff of the United Nations Mission of the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). Tripathi is a great example of how technologists can make a contribution to the cause of human rights.

The Benetech Human Rights Program was invited to conduct these trainings by the International Center for Transitional Justice which assists countries pursuing accountability for mass atrocities or human rights abuses.

Martus allows human rights defenders to create a searchable and encrypted database of sensitive information from witnesses and victims - and back this data up remotely to their choice of publicly available and secure servers.

Tripathi reports that the first Congolese Martus training took place in Kinshasa, the state capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which is located on the bank of the Congo River in central Africa. The second Congolese Martus training took place in Goma, the capital of North Kivu province located on the shore of Lake Kivu.

The trainings offered an important opportunity to bring Martus to the exact groups we built the tool for - human rights defenders who are collecting sensitive documentation and need help securing and backing up that information quickly and effectively.

Benetech is honored to work with these Congolese activists, several of whom have been on the frontline of human rights monitoring and advocacy in the DRC for many years. According to Tripathi, the people we trained drew on examples from their own experiences to inform the training process. They shared anecdotes about information organization, management, security, and in some cases, information loss due to theft and destruction.

"Despite the difficulties of resource constraints and shifting security conditions, we are optimistic about the long-term possibility of Martus users in the DRC due to the enthusiasm and experience of the human rights defenders we worked with," writes Tripathi from Kinshasa. "Benetech's Human Rights Program hopes to return to Kinshasa and Goma to continue to support the dedicated men and women we had an opportunity to train."

While Benetech awaits more opportunities to assist human rights workers in the DRC, it's vitally important that the international community continue to support peace efforts there. CNN reported November 2nd that the United Nations has suspended assistance to a Congolese army brigade battling rebels amid allegations that its troops killed 62 civilians, including women and children, between May and September. I encourage you stay informed about developments in the DRC and support efforts by NGOs to help defend human rights in the region.

 

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