Accountability Mapping Initiative
Accountability for international crimes has never depended solely on international courts.
Domestic jurisdictions play a central role in:
Investigating credible allegations
Preserving evidence
Supporting survivors and witnesses
Cooperating with international mechanisms
When domestic systems, and the communities within them, are equipped to engage responsibly and effectively, global accountability efforts are stronger, more credible, and more sustainable.
The Accountability Mapping Initiative
(AMI or the Initiative) is a pilot project aimed at
developing practical, community-based pathways
to help ensure credible information
relevant to serious international crimes
can be referred to appropriate mechanisms.
The Initiative is designed to examine methodologies in Australia for identifying information relevant to serious international crime investigations.
Rather than assuming what may exist, we focus on generating preliminary data about:
The types of information that may be available in Australia
The approximate scale of potential information sources
Ethical and secure pathways for engagement
Risk management and safeguarding frameworks
A central emphasis is placed on diaspora communities whose lived experiences and contextual knowledge may be highly relevant to justice processes but remain largely outside formal accountability structures.
Through a three-pronged approach — responsible information mapping, community outreach, and engagement with legal practitioners — the project develops and tests a tailored information-identification framework grounded in international best practice.
Australia possesses a robust legal framework for prosecuting genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity under universal jurisdiction.
It has also previously demonstrated investigative capacity through the former Special Investigations Unit established in the late 1980s to examine World War II–era crimes. Although that resulted in limited prosecutions, it confirmed two important points: Australia can build specialised capacity when required, and there is public interest in accountability for serious international crimes.
Combined with Australia’s strong investigative institutions and established international partnerships, this suggests there is significant — but underutilised — potential for further engagement within Australia.
By generating preliminary data, refining practical tools, and mapping engagement pathways, AMI seeks to:
Offer a scalable model of community engagement within Australia regarding accountability for serious international crimes
Strengthen the empirical case for renewed investigative capacity in Australia
Provide policymakers and institutions with evidence-informed options
Support cooperation with international accountability mechanisms