Documenting Human Rights Violations When Iran Is Offline
Internet shutdowns are often used to erase evidence and silence victims.
When this happens, people outside Iran can play a critical role.
You can become the external memory — preserving facts so they cannot be denied or erased.
Why Documentation Matters
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Without evidence, abuses are easily denied
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Journalists require verifiable information
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Courts and human rights mechanisms depend on documentation
What is recorded today may become crucial years from now.
What Can Be Collected?
If you have access to information from inside Iran, the following materials may be documented:
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🎙️ Voice messages
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📱 Screenshots (messages, images, notices)
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🧾 Testimonies from families or witnesses (text or audio)
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📅 Time and location details, when safe and possible
⚠️ Important:
Never pressure people inside Iran to send information or take risks.
How to Store Information Securely
Protecting data also protects lives.
Recommended practices:
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Use Google Drive with a strong password and two-factor authentication
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Use secure services such as Proton Mail / Proton Drive
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Organise files clearly by date, location, and type
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Avoid public sharing links
❌ Do not rely on social media for storage
❌ Do not publish raw materials without verification
How These Records May Be Used
The materials you preserve may later support:
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📰 Media investigations
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⚖️ International legal proceedings
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📑 Human rights reports
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🧠 Historical archives of violations
Even if unused now, they must not be lost.
A Core Principle: Responsibility
Documentation requires:
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Accuracy
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Care
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Protection of those at risk
If you are unsure whether something should be shared publicly,
store it securely and wait.
