Viraaj Akuthota

I’m Viraaj Akuthota, founder of Technology Solutions for Human Rights (TSHR). I bring a unique blend of expertise as an international and domestic human rights lawyer, refugee advocate, and social entrepreneur. Through my work, I strive to leverage technology to make legal frameworks more accessible and empower communities facing injustices.

Professional Background in Law and Human Rights

My professional journey spans diverse roles and regions, beginning with my work supporting Indigenous communities at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in the Northern Territories of Australia. I then served as a solicitor for the Social Action team at Fitzroy Legal Service in Melbourne, focusing on access to justice for marginalized communities. Additionally, my experience includes acting as a human rights consultant for organizations like Save the Children, the INGO Rakhine Initiative, and Justice Base in Myanmar, where I focused on urgent human rights issues such as the Rohingya crisis and the complex legal challenges related to statelessness in Myanmar. My advocacy has also taken me to the international stage, where I represented New Zealand youth at UN conferences in Nairobi.

Bridging Law and Technology

At TSHR, I lead projects that integrate legal expertise with cutting-edge technology to create tools that promote transparency and accountability. One of our landmark initiatives is My-Rights.info, the world’s first accessible legal database and predictive tool for human rights violations, funded by the German Government. This platform empowers vulnerable populations with easily accessible legal information and provides a predictive model to anticipate and address legal rights violations proactively.

Experience in Corporate and Financial Law

In addition to my human rights work, I have a background in corporate and financial law, having worked with Ernst & Young in financial services and served as a class actions lawyer in Melbourne. This experience has enhanced my understanding of complex legal environments, further strengthening my capacity to design technology-based solutions that bridge legal and social needs.

Commitment to Social Justice through Innovation

Throughout my career, I’ve collaborated with diverse partners, including United Nations agencies, governments, NGOs, and grassroots groups, to lead projects that address pressing global issues. This collaborative approach has been central to my work, allowing me to drive impact across various fields and create sustainable, community-centered solutions.

Media & Events

Explore some of my talks and presentations that highlight ongoing efforts to leverage technology in the pursuit of human rights:

1. My-Rights.info Presentation

   • Platform: YouTube
   • Link: My-Rights.info Presentation
   • Overview: My-Rights.info, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the Prototype Fund, is the world’s first accessible legal database and predictive tool for legal rights violations. This project empowers individuals with easy access to legal information and predictive insights into potential rights violations.

2. Access to Justice through Human-Centered Design Tech

   • Event: Chaos Communication Camp 2023
   • Link: Access to Justice through Human-Centered Design Tech
   • Overview: The Chaos Communication Camp, organized by Europe’s largest association of hackers, Chaos Computer Club, is a renowned festival that unites the global hacker community. In this talk, I presented on the role of human-centered design in creating accessible technology solutions to address justice-related challenges, including police accountability and refugee support.

3. Reimagining the Delivery of Human Rights Information

   • Event: re:publica 2024
   • Link: Reimagining the Delivery of Human Rights Information
   • Overview: re:publica is Europe’s largest event for the digital society, focusing on issues such as privacy, freedom of information, and social justice. I discussed the transformative potential of technology in bridging gaps in legal access, sharing insights into practical tools designed to support human rights organizations and enhance client empowerment.

4. Global Legal Hackathon 2019 Finals Gala: Team Cynapse

   • Event: Global Legal Hackathon 2019
   • Link: Global Legal Hackathon 2019 Finals Gala: Team Cynapse
   • Overview: The Global Legal Hackathon brings together innovators to develop solutions that improve legal processes and access to justice worldwide. My team, Cynapse, developed an award-winning project that exemplifies our commitment to using technology to drive legal innovation and support human rights.