In Southeast Asia, like in the rest of Asia, impunity for past human rights violations is entrenched and regional human rights mechanisms remain weak. This has not discouraged, however, civil society groups to apply innovative and comprehensive approaches to truth and reparations at the grassroots as well as at higher administrative levels. On 11 September 2018 at 5 PM, the Transitional Justice Asia Network (TJAN) in collaboration with SEA Junction will focus on the role of civil society in advocating for transitional justice (TJ) in the region. TJ is understood as the implementation of both judicial and non-judicial measures in order to redress legacies of human rights abuses, including criminal prosecutions, truth-seeking efforts, reparations programs, and various kinds of institutional reforms.
At the SEA Junction event, selected videos of a new series on transitional justice in Asia will be screened in combination with a panel discussion on the challenges and achievements of transitional justice processes in Asia. For example, how do we challenge the lack of accountability and authorities’ self-serving protective strategies under the umbrella of “Asian values”? What is required to ensure that transitional justice processes deliver a long-lasting impact? How can we achieve peace and reconciliation while building a foundation for a new society governed by the rule of law?
The following speakers will address these questions in the context of selected countries in Southeast Asia, and discuss the issues’ intersections with other parts of Asia:
- Galuh Wandita, Director, Indonesia and Regional Programs, Asia Justice and Rights, AJAR (Indonesia and Timor-Leste)
- Pornpen Khongkachonkiet, Director, Cross Cultural Foundation (Thailand)
- Rene Clemente, Program Officer, Alternative Law Groups (Philippines)
NB: Events are free, but donations are most welcome!
About the host organizations
Transitional Justice Asia Network (TJAN)
TJAN is a coalition established to increase knowledge-building and field-driven innovations in the region. Currently TJAN has members from 10 Asian countries, with representatives from civil society groups facing urgent challenges. AJAR (see below) is a co-founder of TJAN, and manages its secretariat. For more information see https://asia-ajar.org/transitional-justice-asia-network/
Asia Justice and Rights (AJAR)
AJAR is a regional human rights organization based in Jakarta with a full-time residential training facility in Bali. AJAR’s current work focuses on Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Thailand, South Korea, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Cambodia, each of which are involved in transition from a context of mass human rights violations to democracy. AJAR works to increase the capacity of local and national organizations in the fight against entrenched impunity and to contribute to building cultures based on accountability, justice, and willingness to learn from the root causes of past violations in Asia. For more information see https://asia-ajar.org.
The Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF)The Cross Cultural Foundation (CrCF) was founded in 2002 to work on justice and the protection, promotion, and monitoring of human rights in Thailand. Particular emphasis is placed on marginalized people including ethnic minority groups, stateless people, migrant workers and the victims of conflict. For more information see https://voicefromthais.wordpress.com.