Geographical Information Systems Technology as a Tool for Genocide Prevention: The Case of Darfur

This article evaluates potential uses of geographical information systems (GIS) technology and virtual globes, such as Google Earth, for stimulating more effective responses to emerging threats of genocide and mass atrocities. The essay discusses two projects that utilise commercial satellite imagery to document the destruction of villages and deter future attacks in the Darfur region of Sudan: the US Holocaust Memorial Museum's Crisis in Darfur and Amnesty International USA's Eyes on Darfur. It argues that GIS technology has great potential as an instrument for building public awareness about contemporary threats of genocide and mass atrocities. However, the essay concludes that GIS-based early warning systems may have the greatest value not for public advocacy movements, but rather for policy practitioners charged with designing and implementing responses to emerging threats. Such technology also has the potential to help endangered populations in conflict zones to organise timely and effective defensive action against threats of atrocities.