Hostile surveillance can present a significant – and often invisible – security risk to humanitarian workers and vulnerable populations. Drawing on the expertise and experience of human rights and social justice workers, for whom this is a persistent concern, this chapter looks at hostile surveillance, its implications for humanitarian work and responses to it, including surveillance detection and anti-surveillance measures.
While ‘surveillance’ involves systematic monitoring to gather information or exert control, ‘hostile surveillance’ specifically targets individuals, assets or properties with pre-attack planning or malicious intent. Note that not all surveillance is covert – sometimes it is deliberately visible as a form of intimidation. Hostile surveillance in a humanitarian setting can be conducted by various actors, including non-state armed groups, government forces and criminal elements. Organisations should be mindful that state intelligence agencies may conduct surveillance on humanitarian actors and that this intelligence-gathering can influence how other national government actors perceive and engage with these organisations. Regions experiencing armed conflict or humanitarian crises are especially susceptible to such surveillance.
Common types of hostile surveillance include:
The risks associated with hostile surveillance in humanitarian assistance extend beyond immediate security concerns. At its core, risk in this context pertains to the uncertainty surrounding the safety and efficacy of aid delivery, encompassing threats to personnel, resources and the integrity of humanitarian operations. Hostile surveillance amplifies these risks by introducing the potential for compromised confidentiality, targeted attacks and operational disruptions. Aid workers operating in environments where hostile surveillance is prevalent may face increased risks of physical harm, abduction or harassment.
Managing the risk of hostile surveillance in humanitarian assistance demands a multifaceted approach that encompasses tailored surveillance detection and anti-surveillance strategies, including pattern recognition, route analysis, behavioural observation, technical surveillance counter-measures, communication monitoring and operational security measures. Fostering a culture of surveillance awareness through regular training sessions and awareness-raising helps staff actively contribute to surveillance detection efforts. Collaborative partnerships with experts in counter-surveillance and social justice/human rights organisations can further enhance the effectiveness of anti-surveillance measures.
