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Ethical use of open source intelligence in prosecuting child soldiers
Mini Dissertation (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa))--University of Pretoria, 2025.
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613679712731136 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Fokala, Elvis |
| author_browse | Fokala, Elvis |
| author_facet | Fokala, Elvis |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Mini Dissertation (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa))--University of Pretoria, 2025. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107043 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:39:59.298Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/107043 Ethical use of open source intelligence in prosecuting child soldiers Fokala, Elvis katemetzer01@gmail.com Mutuma , Kenneth Wyne Metzer, Kate Ashley UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Open Source Information (OSINT) Open source investigations Ethical use of OSINT Child soldiers International Criminal Court Transitional Justice Mini Dissertation (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa))--University of Pretoria, 2025. International criminal justice has long faced the complex issue of the prosecution of crimes involving the recruitment of child soldiers. While the International Criminal Court (ICC) heavily relies on in-person testimony of former child soldiers, several risks arise from this practice. Some of these risks include psychological and security risks, including re-traumatisation, threats of retaliation, and significant evidentiary challenges. Open-source intelligence (OSINT) has revolutionised human rights investigations by enabling the remote documentation of violations through publicly available digital materials. Despite the increasing use in ICC proceedings, there is currently no child-specific framework that guides the application of OSINT in cases involving child soldiers. This mini dissertation examines how OSINT can be used ethically when integrated into ICC investigations and prosecutions to safeguard the child soldiers’ rights. The dissertation first analyses the normative and procedural frameworks governing child soldier testimony, highlighting both the practical and ethical dilemmas faced by the Court. It then evaluates the human rights risks and benefits associated with OSINT, including concerns related to privacy, consent, data protection, and the potential for digital exposure and re-traumatisation. Through the case study of ICC jurisprudence, from Lubanga to Ongwen, the dissertation identifies emerging trends in the use of digital evidence. The study concludes by proposing a set of best practices, recommendations for an ethically grounded, child-sensitive OSINT framework capable of strengthening accountability while also upholding the rights of child soldiers. Centre for Human Rights LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa) Unrestricted Faculty of Laws SDG-16: Peace, justice and strong institutions 2025-12-02T10:34:31Z 2025-12-02T10:34:31Z 2025-12-10 2025-09-27 Mini Dissertation * D2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107043 Disclaimer Letter en © 2024 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Open Source Information (OSINT) Open source investigations Ethical use of OSINT Child soldiers International Criminal Court Transitional Justice Ethical use of open source intelligence in prosecuting child soldiers |
| title | Ethical use of open source intelligence in prosecuting child soldiers |
| title_full | Ethical use of open source intelligence in prosecuting child soldiers |
| title_fullStr | Ethical use of open source intelligence in prosecuting child soldiers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ethical use of open source intelligence in prosecuting child soldiers |
| title_short | Ethical use of open source intelligence in prosecuting child soldiers |
| title_sort | ethical use of open source intelligence in prosecuting child soldiers |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Open Source Information (OSINT) Open source investigations Ethical use of OSINT Child soldiers International Criminal Court Transitional Justice |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107043 |