About Witness
Witness: Empowering Human Rights Advocates through Video and Technology
Witness is a global nonprofit organization that has been at the forefront of using video and technology to promote human rights since 1992. The organization was founded by musician Peter Gabriel, who was inspired by the power of video to document social injustices and bring them to light.
Today, Witness works with activists, journalists, and communities around the world to use video as a tool for change. The organization provides training, support, and resources to help people capture compelling footage that can be used as evidence in legal proceedings or shared with the public to raise awareness about human rights abuses.
One of Witness's core beliefs is that everyone has the right to document their own experiences and tell their own stories. By empowering people with the skills and tools they need to create high-quality videos, Witness helps amplify voices that might otherwise go unheard.
The organization's work spans a wide range of issues related to human rights, including police brutality, environmental justice, gender-based violence, forced evictions, and more. Through partnerships with local organizations on the ground in countries like Brazil, Mexico, Kenya,and India , Witness is able to provide targeted support tailored specifically for each community's needs.
In addition to its work on-the-ground,Witness also advocates for policy changes at national and international levels. The organization has played an instrumental role in shaping laws around video evidence admissibility in courtrooms worldwide.
One example of how Witness has made an impact is through its partnership with Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF). In 2020,Witness provided BLMGNF organizers with training on how best practices for filming protests safely while also capturing important footage documenting police brutality against protesters during nationwide demonstrations following George Floyd’s murder.Witness also helped BLMGNF develop guidelines for filming protests safely while protecting participants' privacy.
Another example is from Brazil where witness worked closely with indigenous communities living along Amazon river basin who were facing threats from illegal logging operations.Witness trained members of these communities on how best practices for filming illegal activities without putting themselves or others at risk.The resulting footage helped bring attention from media outlets worldwide which led Brazilian government officials taking action against illegal loggers operating within indigenous territories .
Overall,Witness plays an essential role in promoting transparency accountability when it comes human rights abuses .Through its innovative use of technology combined with grassroots organizing efforts ,the organization empowers individuals communities alike take action towards creating more just equitable societies globally .