Formal accountability mechanisms for mass violations in Asia and the Pacific are often compromised, and lack political support. Perpetrators go unpunished and remain unrepentant, resulting in a breakdown of the rule of law and ongoing cycles of violence. But, despite this, and in the face of discrimination and threats of violence, survivors and human rights defenders continue to advocate for truth and justice.
The Stolen Children of Timor-Leste
Since 1975, thousands of Timorese children have been abducted and taken to Indonesia. With the cooperation and assistance of the governments of Timor-Leste and Indonesia, AJAR has been tracing these “stolen children”, and reuniting them with their families.
Empowerment of Rohingya Refugees
AJAR works to educate and empower Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, while documenting their experiences in a quest for accountability. Many are victims of serious human rights violations, and all have lost their homes and possessions.
Lessons on Survivor Initiatives in WPS Week 2025 Side-Event: Bukae as an Innovations in Advancing Reparations and Recognition for Survivors in Timor-Leste
New York & Sydney, 27 October 2025 – During the 2025 Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Week, Asia Justice and…
Regional: Transitional Justice Asia Network Experts Participate in Practitioners’ Conference in Berlin to Advance Transformative Transitional Justice
Berlin, Germany, October 2025 – In the time of global democratic retreat, shrinking civic spaces, and rising authoritarianism, practitioners dedicated…
Regional: Commemorating Twenty Years of Peace in Aceh—Nurturing Peace, Preserving Memory, and Strengthening the Future
Banda Aceh, Indonesia, August 2025 – Twenty years have elapsed since the signing of the Helsinki Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)–the…
Indonesia: Commemorating Twenty Years of Peace in Aceh—A Reflection on Transitional Justice Mechanisms and Ongoing Challenges
Banda Aceh, Indonesia, August 2025 – From 10 to 17 August 2025, Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) Indonesia program, KontraS…
Bangladesh: Civil Society and Regional Experts Convene to Advance Transitional Justice in Democratic Reform Discourse
Dhaka, 13 July 2025 — Amidst a historic political transition in Bangladesh, a Transitional Justice Course and Civil Society Exchange…
South Korea: AJAR Shares Reflection on the Past as Learning Democracy at the 2025 Gwangju Democracy Forum
Gwangju, South Korea, 18 May 2025 – AJAR Indonesia Program Deputy Manager, Emmanuella Kania Mamonto, joined as a panelist in…
Bangladesh: ICC Prosecutor Reaffirms Commitment to Justice for Rohingya Refugees During Visit to AJAR’s Learning Centre
Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, 26 November 2024 – International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan visited the AJAR’s Learning Centre in…
The “Cartooning The ASEAN Way of Non-Interference & Consensus Principle” Opening Exhibition
Bangkok, Thailand — The “Cartooning The ASEAN Way of Non-Interference & Consensus Principle” exhibition, held at the Bangkok Art and…
Indonesia: National Seminar on Collective Initiatives in Building Peace and Accountability
After 26 years of the Reform Era, Indonesia’s democracy and culture of accountability have witnessed a troubling decline in civil…
Indonesia/Malaysia/Thailand: New Report from Rohingya Oral Histories Portrayed Urgent Need for Regional Action on Refugee Crisis
“When I looked up, I could only see the sky wherever I looked, and when I looked down, it was…
Myanmar: Examining Myanmar’s Refugee Situation and ASEAN’s Response
Bangkok, Thailand, 25 June 2024 — Myanmar has a long and oppressive history of harrowing refugee crises and multiple human…
Thailand: National Seminar Confronts Past Abuses and Conflicts, Seeks Path to Peace
Thailand has a long history of serious human rights violations, particularly in the context of nation-wide political uprisings as well…
Solomon Islands: Healing Trauma and Building Peace after Conflict, One Community at a Time
Honiara, Solomon Islands, 27 February 2024 – In the Solomon Islands, a state in the western Pacific Ocean, the aftermath…
Indonesia: AJAR, Aceh CSOs Launch Digital Map of Human Rights Violations Sites in Aceh
Aceh, Indonesia, 30 October 2023 — Asia Justice and Rights, in collaboration with three Aceh civil society organisations, have unveiled…
Regional: Searching the Path to Perpetual Peace – Asia-Pacific Organisations Collaborate to Strengthen and Sustain Peace and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence
From 9 to 14 October 2023, an international summit bringing together a regional network of individuals and organisations for truth,…
Regional: AJAR, TJAN Mark Peace Day with Discussion on Grassroots Peacebuilding Efforts in Asia-Pacific
To celebrate International Day of Peace 2023, Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR) and Transitional Justice Asia Networks hold a public…
South Korea: AJAR Shares Experiences and Practices in Pursuing Justice for Victims of Enforced Disappearance
Seoul, South Korea, 30 August 2023 — To mark the International Day of Victims of Enforced Disappearance, the UN Human…
Timor-Leste: National Seminar Youth Examine Root Causes of Conflict, Raise Recommendations and Manifesto for Peace
Timor-Leste has a long history of group conflict. In the Portuguese colonial period, gangs named Moradores were used to repress…
Indonesia: Rushing for a Remedy without Recognition
This article was published in the paper edition of The Jakarta Post with the title ”Rushing for a remedy without recognition”….
Timor-Leste: Bukae ba Sobrevivente, New Study on Reparations to Survivors of Sexual Violence during the 1975-1999 Conflict
“During the period of conflict in Timor-Leste, sexual violence had a profound impact on its victims and on the general…