Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Our teams at Physicians for Human Rights + @hrcberkeley.bsky.social's Investigations Lab spent a year documenting + verifying improper crowd-control tactics across the U.S., creating a dataset for reporters + lawyers, spotlighting violations of US Constitutional + human rights law. More below 👇 093
Reposted by AlexaKolina Koltai @koltai.bsky.social · 18/04/2026Absolutely phenomenal to hear both @manisha.bsky.social and @alexakoenig.bsky.social talk about their experience working in the field of OSINT. What a treat to have them both on stage together, including their experiences as women in this space. 2308
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 29/01/2026"[Bystander video] is one of the tools at the disposal of everyday people that is a cornerstone of really being able to hold government actors accountable + help individuals who cannot be there on the ground understand what is happening," @alexakoenig.bsky.social: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...usatoday.comProtesters, immigration agencies battle — on social mediaSocial media has become a critical tool for documenting the activity of federal agents. In some cases, officers are filming activists right back. 001
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 30/01/2026In a new @opiniojuris.bsky.social blog, HRC's @alexakoenig.bsky.social & @bmcg-leyh.bsky.social from @utrechtuniversity.bsky.social reflect on the challenges of running open source investigations labs at public universities: opiniojuris.org/2026/01/12/i...opiniojuris.orgInnovative but Precarious: The Challenge of Running Open-Source Investigations Labs at Public Universities[Alexa Koenig, PhD, MA, JD, is a research professor at UC Berkeley School of Law, faculty director of UC Berkeley’s Human Rights Center, and director and co-founder of the center’s Investigations L… 043
Reposted by AlexaUC Berkeley Law @ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social · 13/01/2026"We believe that Open-Source Investigation Labs can and should become part of the educational and research infrastructure of the public university." — Opinion by Prof. Alexa Koenig and Utrecht University’s Prof. Brianne McGonigle Leyh: bit.ly/4aYZHRo #BerkeleyLaw @alexakoenig.bsky.social bit.lyInnovative but Precarious: The Challenge of Running Open-Source Investigations Labs at Public Universities[Alexa Koenig, PhD, MA, JD, is a research professor at UC Berkeley School of Law, faculty director of UC Berkeley’s Human Rights Center, and director and co-founder of the center’s Investigations L… 053
Reposted by AlexaUC Berkeley Law @ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social · 06/01/2026Watch: Professor Alexa Koenig, co-faculty director of @hrcberkeley.bsky.social, appeared on @ktvufox2.bsky.social to discuss research on El Salvador’s CECOT prison: www.ktvu.com/video/1759430 #BerkeleyLaw @alexakoenig.bsky.social ktvu.comEl Salvador’s mega-prison: what UC Berkeley researchers foundAlexa Koenig, Berkeley law co-faculty director, Human Rights Center, shares findings into the deportations of Venezuelan's to El Salvador's CECOT prison. The UC Berkeley research team was part of a st... 034
Reposted by AlexaMark Kersten @markkersten.bsky.social · 02/01/2026Canadian #ICC Judge Prost has spoken about the emotional & practical toll that US sanctions against her have taken. Yet Ottawa will not speak out against these sanctions. The reason, I have had confirmed, is bc Canada is afraid of American anger at calling sanctions out. A sad state of affairs. 01712
Reposted by AlexaGregg Butensky @gbutensky.bsky.social · 31/12/2025Excellent segment, not just on the 60 Minutes debacle but also on the broader importance of open source research, analysis and verification. Very well done, @alexakoenig.bsky.social! 1168
Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 20/12/2025Thanks to 60 Minutes for covering this important issue. I'm incredibly grateful to all of the members of the Human Rights Center team for their work and to Human Rights Watch for trusting us with a small piece of their effort to illuminate the experiences of the men sent to CECOT 👇 3287
Reposted by AlexaKolina Koltai @koltai.bsky.social · 10/12/2025I chatted with @alexakoenig.bsky.social at @hrcberkeley.bsky.social about investigating sexual and gender based crimes online. Anyone who knows me can tell you this is something I care deeply about and we're at a cultural turning point to either stop it or let it flourish medium.com/@maggie.visu...medium.comInvestigating sexual and gender-based crimes onlineTo celebrate the publication of the Open-Source Practitioner’s Guide to the Murad Code, our Faculty Director Alexa Koenig sat down with… 0168
Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 11/12/2025Thank you, Kolina, for the conversation and you're important work! 030
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 24/11/2025"A structural approach to OSI collaborations may enhance rigorous, credible and meaningful investigations that leverage the richness of multidisciplinary input, rather than being hampered by it." Read more in @opiniojuris.bsky.social / @alexakoenig.bsky.social: opiniojuris.org/2025/11/24/c...opiniojuris.orgCollaborations Across Borders and Disciplines: Insights from Open-Source Investigations[Isabella Regan is PhD researcher at the department of Law, Society and Crime of Erasmus School of Law, Rotterdam, focusing on public and private open-source investigations and atrocity crimes. Ale… 053
Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 20/11/20251/2 "Investigating Hell" - our student team at the @hrcberkeley.bsky.social's Investigations Lab discuss their methods + experiences conducting open source research for Human Rights Watch's important new report "You Have Arrived in Hell" medium.com/humanrightsc...medium.comInvestigating hell: How our students supported Human Rights Watch’s report on El Salvador’s CECOTThis is a co-authored post by Talia Harter, Maneh Davityan, Kyle Sweasey, Nick D’Acri, Ana Gonzalez, Audrey Colocho, Daniella Spero 163
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 17/11/2025🚨 1/2: Our Investigations Lab students + staff contributed essential research verifying detention conditions and patterns of abuse in @hrw.org + @cristosal.bsky.social's new report on arbitrary detention, torture + inhumane conditions in El Salvador’s CECOT mega-prison. 🔗 www.hrw.org/report/2025/...hrw.org“You Have Arrived in Hell”The 81-page report, “‘You Have Arrived in Hell’: Torture and Other Abuses Against Venezuelans in El Salvador’s Mega Prison,” provides a comprehensive account of the treatment of these people in El Sal... 153
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 24/10/20252/2: This work is possible thanks to the tireless work of our staff Linda Gordon, @alexakoenig.bsky.social, @betsypopken.bsky.social, and more. Explore more about this work in our 2024/25 Annual Report: humanrights.berkeley.edu/publications...humanrights.berkeley.eduAnnual Report 2024/2025 - Berkeley Human Rights Center 002
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 31/10/2025🧵4/5: On 11/5 @ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social, we're screening Estado de Silencio (State of Silence), a documentary on violence against journalists in #Mexico. Panel to follow with Santiago Maza, @berkeleyjournalism.bsky.social, @betsypopken.bsky.social + more! RSVP: events.berkeley.edu/hrc/event/22...events.berkeley.edu 163
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 31/10/2025🧵3/5 @bellingcat.com's Director for Research and Training @giancarlofiorella.bsky.social & Investigator and Trainer @koltai.bsky.social spent 3 days visiting our Investigations Lab + @alexakoenig.bsky.social, sharing research and open source investigative methods with students. 1186
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 31/10/2025🧵1/5 Our October newsletter just dropped! Check out our new projects & latest updates, including groundbreaking research on farmworker safety, a visit from @bellingcat.com to our Investigations Lab, our annual Human Rights Fellowship Conference, & much more: conta.cc/43JPELfconta.ccHRC October NewsletterEmail from Human Rights Center New wildfire safe and healthy research, fellowship conference, and more! October 2025 Newsletter 2024–2025 student fellow Rachel Wallace presents on a panel at the 2 153
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 24/10/20251/2: Through the Climate Disasters Initiative, the Human Rights Center @ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social partners with frontline communities, analyzes disaster laws and policies, and trains students to advance equity in preparedness and recovery: www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpNe...youtube.comClimate Disasters Initiative ProfileYouTube video by Human Rights Center, UC Berkeley 222
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 17/10/2025For 30+ years, our Student Fellowship Program has trained the next generation of #HumanRights leaders—providing hands-on experience that shapes their research, advocacy & careers. Watch one fellow's story below! 🌍 400+ fellows 🤝 350+ orgs ✈️ 88+ countries www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fgti...youtube.comStudent Fellowship ProfileYouTube video by Human Rights Center, UC Berkeley 112
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 16/10/2025This work is possible thanks to the tireless work of our wonderful students, staff, and partners! Explore the Lab's impact and more in our 2024/25 Annual Report: humanrights.berkeley.edu/publications... @alexakoenig.bsky.social @betsypopken.bsky.socialhumanrights.berkeley.eduAnnual Report 2024/2025 - Berkeley Human Rights Center 032
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 16/10/2025Our Investigations Lab trains students in #OSINT & digital verification to document human rights violations worldwide. We’ve partnered with @amnesty.org, @hrw.org, @apnews.com & more to investigate abuses in Sudan, Iran, the United States & beyond. Explore more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT6D...youtube.comInvestigations Lab ProfileYouTube video by Human Rights Center, UC Berkeley 123
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 24/09/2025Thrilled that HRC Faculty Director @alexakoenig.bsky.social is one of the inaugural members of Women Transforming Global Security, a new feminist global network addressing crises related to nuclear weapons proliferation, climate change, human rights, and more: transformingsecurity.orgtransformingsecurity.orgReimagining Security for the 21st Century - WTGSWomen Transforming Global Security represents a groundbreaking alliance of distinguished women leaders pioneering a comprehensive framework for addressing 062
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 29/08/2025HRC's @alexakoenig.bsky.social and @lindsaysfreeman.bsky.social each have new articles out in @uchicagolaw.bsky.social's International Law Journal's summer 2025 edition! Check out the full journal here, with the articles linked below: cjil.uchicago.edu/print-archiv...cjil.uchicago.edu 26.1 | Chicago Journal of International Law 111
Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 27/08/20251/2 Article out from Chicago on guidelines we'll be launching this fall w/ the Institute for International Criminal Investigations on using #OSINT methods to investigate sexual and gender-based violence w/ the goal of bringing two int'l investigative worlds together cjil.uchicago.edu/print-archiv...cjil.uchicago.edu Digital Investigations of Systematic and Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: Practice and Possibilities | Chicago Journal of International Law I. Introduction 121
Reposted by AlexaUnited Nations Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies @unodet.bsky.social · 18/08/2025Internship: #UNJob Alert 🚨 @unodet.bsky.social is hiring interns in Geneva! Help build a better future of emerging tech by fostering #DigitalCooperation. Tracks: 🔹Research & Technical Content 🔹Stakeholder Engagment & Policy Coordination Apply by 🔗 26 Aug 2025: tinyurl.com/ph9r8xhm 121
Reposted by AlexaGregg Butensky @gbutensky.bsky.social · 26/06/2025OSINT Provides Powerful Evidence of Gender Crimes in Iran and Beyond Well done Alexa Koenig @alexakoenig.bsky.social and Andrea Richardson. #OSINT #ICC 023
Reposted by AlexaGregg Butensky @gbutensky.bsky.social · 25/06/2025“Allowing the worldwide publication of war crimes on the open web emboldens perpetrators, demoralizes victims, and frustrates national law enforcement, who rarely have jurisdiction to act when crimes are committed outside their territories," writes Lindsay Freeman - @lindsaysfreeman.bsky.social 011
Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 23/06/2025"In West Africa...there is a new band of online influencers: war influencers" @lindsaysfreeman.bsky.social @hrcberkeley.bsky.social details how the Wagner group + other PMCs use Telegram to terrorize - and details 1st steps to accountability www.lawfaremedia.org/article/war-...lawfaremedia.orgWar Crimes for Fun and ProfitWar influencers are posting evidence of their crimes online. Why has there been so little accountability? 064
Reposted by AlexaJust Security @justsecurity.org · 18/06/2025Babies are again being born #HIV positive in #Uganda, after US #ForeignAid cuts. @payalkshah.bsky.social writes it’s among many signs the resulting global #HealthCrisis is also a #HumanRights crisis. www.justsecurity.org/114839/us-fo... #UNHumanRightsCouncil #HRC59justsecurity.orgU.S. Foreign Aid Cuts to Healthcare Trigger a Global Human Rights Crisis: How the World Must RespondThe U.N. Human Rights Council's current session offers a critical opening for leaders to address the health crisis spurred by U.S. funding cuts. 08144
Reposted by AlexaJust Security @justsecurity.org · 21/06/2025(1/3) Catch up on our recent analysis: • Israel / Iran • Political violence • U.S. military deployment • Trump executive actions • Public health • European security • Corruption • United Nations / Counterterrorism • Series: Gender & protests in Iran www.justsecurity.org/114795/diges...justsecurity.orgDigest of Recent Articles on Just Security (June 15-20, 2025)Israel / Iran • Political violence • U.S. military deployment • Trump executive actions • Public health • European security • Corruption • United Nations / Counterterrorism • Series: Gender & protests... 2224
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 20/06/2025The final in a special @justsecurity.org series, @alexakoenig.bsky.social and Andrea Richardson discuss how #OSINT can strengthen accountability for gender crimes through our report on attacks against #WomanLifeFreedom protestors: www.justsecurity.org/112988/open-...justsecurity.orgOpen-Source Information Provides Powerful Evidence of Gender Crimes in Iran and BeyondDigital open source data can be ethically deployed to strengthen investigations and prosecutions on gender crimes in Iran and elsewhere. 144
Reposted by AlexaSocial Media Lab @socialmedialab.ca · 17/06/2025If you're doing research on online civility or lack thereof, get to know the Civility Analyzer module in @communalytic.org. It can automatically identify toxic, insulting, & threatening posts or posts showing compassion, curiosity, & respect in any text-based dataset. Communalytic.org 13219
Reposted by AlexaJust Security @justsecurity.org · 18/06/2025New resources are available for investigators using open-source information to document and prosecute #gender-related crimes. Andrea Richardson and @alexakoenig.bsky.social explain how they are being used in #Iran and beyond: www.justsecurity.org/112988/open-...justsecurity.orgOpen-Source Information Provides Powerful Evidence of Gender Crimes in Iran and BeyondDigital open source data can be ethically deployed to strengthen investigations and prosecutions on gender crimes in Iran and elsewhere. 02011
Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 18/06/2025"Suddenly the phone records the crack of 3 gunshots. By the third the camera loses focus and [tumbles] out of its holder’s hands...apparent footage of the killing of a protestor." Final post in series @justsecurity.org on how #OSINT can help prove gender crimes www.justsecurity.org/112988/open-...justsecurity.orgOpen-Source Information Provides Powerful Evidence of Gender Crimes in Iran and BeyondDigital open source data can be ethically deployed to strengthen investigations and prosecutions on gender crimes in Iran and elsewhere. 031
Reposted by AlexaJess Peake @jesspeake.bsky.social · 12/06/2025The UN Fact-Finding Mission on #Iran is doing incredible work to document #crimesagainsthumanity and #humanrights violations committed by the Islamic Republic. The Iran Digital Archive Coalition is proud to assist by providing #digitalevidence. 112
Reposted by AlexaJess Peake @jesspeake.bsky.social · 12/06/2025Being involved with the creation of the #Iran Digital Archive Coalition and working with these incredible partners has been a career highlight. Each of us cares deeply about #accountability for #humanrights violations and #crimesagainsthumanity in Iran 021
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 12/06/2025More to come in this series, including a piece from @alexakoenig.bsky.social and Andrea Richardson on using open source information to establish elements of the international crime against humanity of gender persecution: www.justsecurity.org/tag/series-o...justsecurity.orgSeries on Gender and Protests in Iran 001
Reposted by AlexaJust Security @justsecurity.org · 11/06/2025During the 2022 Woman, Life, Freedom protests in #Iran, security forces responded with violence, killing at least 500 people. A group of civil society orgs worked to safeguard evidence, write Jess Peake, Nushin Sarkarati, and Kelly Liu. First in a series: www.justsecurity.org/114163/coali...justsecurity.orgThe Coalition that Preserved Content from Iran’s ProtestsWoman, Life, Freedom victims and survivors are calling for help. We must amplify their voices and demand justice. 22714
Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 11/06/20251/ Out today! The first two pieces in a special series @justsecurity.org on our collaborative investigations into gender persecution + attacks on Woman Life Freedom protestors in Iran. www.justsecurity.org/tag/series-o...justsecurity.orgSeries on Gender and Protests in Iran 294
Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 25/05/2025It was incredibly exciting to learn about the variability of and extraordinary work being done at other university OSINT labs. This academic field has come so far in just under a decade. Great to meet you Lydia + to share the stage with these innovative humans! 030
Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 08/05/2025Whoa. So many thoughts on the ethics, prejudicial value and more of an AI generated statement from a deceased victim in court..... www.npr.org/2025/05/07/g...npr.orgAfter an Arizona man was shot, an AI video of him addresses his killer in courtAI experts say this is likely the first time that AI has been used in the U.S. to create an impact statement read by an AI rendering of the deceased victim 111
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 22/04/2025Join us in celebrating the book launch of "Failure of the State: Organised Crime and Mexico’s Disappeared" by HRC Senior Researcher Dr. Lene Guercke! 📅 May 1 🕔 5 PM 🎙️ @alexakoenig.bsky.social & Omar Gómez-Trejo 📍 HRC @ucberkeleylaw.bsky.social 🍽️ Snacks served! 🔗 events.berkeley.edu/hrc/event/29...events.berkeley.eduFailure of the State: Organised Crime and Mexico’s Disappeared - a book launch and discussionA book launch and conversation with Dr. Lene Guercke on her new book Failure of the State: Organised Crime and Mexico’s Disappeared Speakers... 074
Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 07/04/2025Open-source researchers: whether you’re actively searching for evidence re: conflict-related sexual violence or not, you may find it. We've just launched the pilot Open-Source Practitioner’s Guide to the Murad Code w/ IICI to help www.muradcode.com/open-source-... @berkeleylaw.bsky.social 13120
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 04/04/2025We've been documenting the first 75 days of actions taken by the Trump administration that impact veterans and the military in partnership with @thewarhorsenews.bsky.social. The timeline links to executive orders, other official actions, articles, social media posts, and more. Check it out now: 045
Reposted by AlexaGregg Butensky @gbutensky.bsky.social · 03/04/2025Heart-wrenching reporting (video) from BBC journalist who reached Mandalay. #WhatsHappeninglnMyanmar #earthquakebbc.comMyanmar earthquake: BBC finds huge devastation and little help for survivors in MandalayYogita Limaye is the one of the first foreign journalists to enter Myanmar since a huge earthquake hit the war-torn country. 002
Alexa @alexakoenig.bsky.social · 03/04/2025Total we launch 2 additional reports from the Iran Digital Archive Coalition that underscore the int'l crimes we've been documenting through open source investigations + the importance of the #IranFFMI's continuing work #HRCLab humanrights.berkeley.edu/projects/inv...humanrights.berkeley.eduInvestigating Violence Against Woman, Life, Freedom Protesters in Iran - Berkeley Human Rights Center 053
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 03/04/2025We've published two new reports, the latest in an ongoing series, which offer additional evidence that international crimes have been perpetrated in Iran, and demonstrate how digital open source information can support future legal accountability: humanrights.berkeley.edu/projects/inv...humanrights.berkeley.eduInvestigating Violence Against Woman, Life, Freedom Protesters in Iran - Berkeley Human Rights Center 021
Reposted by AlexaHuman Rights Center @hrcberkeley.bsky.social · 01/04/2025"Digital investigations are more ethical and effective when they are survivor-centered and trauma-informed," write @alexakoenig.bsky.social & @anthonyghaly.bsky.social for @justsecurity.org: www.justsecurity.org/108985/guida... www.justsecurity.org/108985/guida...justsecurity.orgGuidance Gap in Investigations of Conflict-Related Sexual ViolenceGuidance on how to conduct digital investigations into sexual violence remains underdeveloped, leaving a dangerous gap. 067