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Document
A practical workflow for documenting human rights violations - from first observation to a submission-ready report. Select the stage you are currently in, or browse all stages.
2 · WHAT TO DO
Select your current stage on the left to see the steps to take.
Something happened
First minutes and hours
- 1 Write down everything you know right now — who, what, when, where. Do not wait until later.
- 2 Identify who was involved: victim(s), perpetrators, witnesses.
- 3 Assess whether anyone is still at immediate risk. If yes — go to Emergency first.
- 4 Note what evidence exists and whether you can access it safely.
- 5 Decide who needs to know about this and who should not know yet.
Collecting evidence
As soon as it is safe
- 1 Talk to the victim or witnesses — one thorough conversation is better than multiple partial ones.
- 2 Ask open questions first: "Tell me what happened." Do not suggest details.
- 3 Get consent before recording. If you cannot record, take detailed notes immediately after.
- 4 Collect documentary evidence: photos, official records, medical reports, written communications.
- 5 For digital evidence: screenshot the original including URL and timestamp. Do not edit the file.
- 6 For each item, note: what it is, when and where you got it, who else was present.
- 7 Store everything encrypted from the moment of collection.
Checking what you have
Before you write anything up
- 1 For each key fact: can you confirm it with at least two independent sources?
- 2 Check documents for authenticity — do the details match other evidence?
- 3 Note any gaps. Missing evidence is not a failure — document what is missing and why.
- 4 Identify which human rights standards apply to what happened.
- 5 If in doubt about legal framing, consult a lawyer or legal NGO before finalising.
Writing it up
After verification is done
- 1 Decide who you are writing for: UN mechanism, NGO, media, or legal process. The format differs.
- 2 Structure: what happened, who was responsible, what rights were violated, what evidence you have.
- 3 Anonymise victim and witness names wherever there is any risk at all.
- 4 Include an evidence annex — list every item with its source and date.
- 5 Get a legal review before you make accountability or criminal allegations publicly.
- 6 Use the Submit module to find the right UN mechanism for your report.