Methodology
Civic Space Watchdog combines AI-assisted monitoring with rigorous human verification to document civic space restrictions across the MENA region.
Safety First
We prioritize the safety of sources, victims, and partner organizations. All sensitive data is handled with strict confidentiality protocols.
Human Verification
Every incident undergoes expert review by our research team. AI assists in discovery, but humans make the final determination.
Transparency
We document our sources and methodology clearly. When we make mistakes, we correct them promptly and transparently.
Data Sources
Primary Sources
- • Direct documentation from HuMENA field researchers
- • Partner organization verified reports
- • Official court documents and legal filings
- • First-hand victim and witness testimonies
Secondary Sources
- • Local and international media reports
- • UN and international organization reports
- • Social media documentation
- • AI-assisted monitoring of open sources
Verification Process
Initial Documentation
Incident is first documented with available information, marked as "Draft" status.
Source Verification
Our research team verifies the credibility of sources and cross-references with multiple independent reports.
Expert Review
Senior researchers review the incident for accuracy, proper classification, and legal categorization.
Publication
Once verified, the incident is published with appropriate access controls based on sensitivity.
Privacy & Security
We implement strict privacy protections for all data subjects:
- • Personal identifiers are removed or pseudonymized in public-facing content
- • Access to sensitive data is restricted to authorized researchers
- • All team members undergo data protection training
- • Regular security audits of our infrastructure
- • Compliance with GDPR and relevant data protection frameworks