The core premises of casualty recording are that no individual should die as a result of armed violence without their death being acknowledged, and that recognition should be afforded to all victims of violence in a way that upholds their rights and dignity.
Other documented benefits of the detailed casualty information that results from casualty recording include: informing the assessment of conflict environments for protective action by humanitarian responders; advocacy and dialogue with conflict parties to influence future operations and so reduce civilian casualties; evidence-based policymaking by states to reduce armed violence; supporting victims’ rights (such as the right to know the fate of loved ones) and survivors’ assistance (such as compensation); memorialisation; and contributions to accountability procedures and truth and reconciliation processes.
LOSING SIGHT OF THE HUMAN COST: Casualty recording and remote control warfare, p. 2
