A key characteristic of AJAR’s institutional identity is its close, ongoing relationships with survivors of serious violations. AJAR maintains these relationships by providing support to victims’ organizations, amplifying their ‘voices’ through trainings and workshops.
Survivor stories
The core of AJAR’s work is to assist and empower victims, to support human rights defenders and to prevent the recurrence of atrocities. The most important contribution AJAR can make to sustainable peace and prosperity is to assist with building resilient cultures and accountable societies, free from impunity.
Entrenched impunity and prevalence of patriarchal cultures throughout the Asia-Pacific region block the pursuit of accountability and the fulfilment of human rights. Cultural taboos on exposing the truth about gender discrimination and sexual abuse contribute to blaming the victims. Impunity remains strong which allows for the practices of sexual harassment, abuse and violence against women in non-conflict situations. This becomes worse in situations of armed conflict and mass violations.
During conflict, men and boys become targets of violence and must endure unspeakable torture and abuse. Male survivors of torture face challenges in rebuilding trust and may adopt some of the characteristics of their oppressors. Women, especially IDPs, refugees and trafficked women, face further risks of violence and violations when they are displaced from their homes.
Victims of human rights violations and gender-based violence are encouraged to speak out on their issues. The strategies AJAR adopts include:strengthening participatory approaches to ensure that survivors take ownership of and are able to express and address their issues, initiating innovative research and tools to work with survivors and their children in addressing the impact of human rights violations, and supporting victims of gender-based violence in developing and implementing joint advocacy.
Indigenous/ethnic women and men are actively engaged to defend their rights. AJAR does this by strengthening participatory approaches to ensure that indigenous women and men are fully involved in voicing their issues and formulating solutions, and by supporting indigenous/ethnic women and men in developing and implementing joint advocacy efforts.





Our work with survivors
Latest News
16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence
2 years ago – Every year on 25 November we celebrate International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women which runs up until 10 December, on the commemoration of International Human Rights Day. …
Latest News
Screenings of AJAR’s Award-Winning Animated Films “Konta-Sai” and “8:45” in Bali
2 years ago – Bali, 27 November 2021 – Screenings of AJAR’s two animated films, “8:45”and the award-winning “Konta-Sai”, took place with human rights defenders and film enthusiasts in Bali, Indonesia. Konta-sai tells the…
Latest News
AJAR’s Short Film “Konta-sai” Awarded Best Film and Best Animation at ReelOzInd! Australia Indonesia Short Film Competition 2021
2 years ago – We are delighted and proud to announce that our animated documentary titled “Konta-sai” has been awarded the Best Film and Best Animation of this year’s ReelOz Australia Indonesia Film Festival!…
Latest News
UDHR Mobile Application Launch (with the Liberation War Museum of Bangladesh)
2 years ago – In collaboration with the Liberation War Museum (LWM) of Bangladesh, AJAR has released a mobile application called the UDHR Flashcards application. The UDHR Flashcards app is a free, quick reference…
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Body Mapping Research Workshop held with ACbit and FONGTIL in DIli, Timor-Leste
2 years ago – Dili, 5 July 2021 – In collaboration with our partners in Timor-Leste – ACbit and FONGTIL – AJAR held a six-day workshop on engaging and empowering survivors using participatory action…
Latest News
AJAR for World Refugee Day 2021
2 years ago – On 20 June, we commemorate World Refugee Day to celebrate and honour the strength, courage and resilience of refugees. This year, AJAR supports the UNHCR’s 2021 World Refugee Day theme:…
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“Achieve Justice by Combating Impunity” – International Day in Support of Victims of Torture (26 June 2020)
3 years ago – On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, Women’s League of Burma (WLB), Network for Human Rights Documentation – Burma (ND-Burma), Assistance Association of Political Prisoners (AAPP), Vimutti…
Latest News
[Press Release] Remembering Rumoh Geudong, Raising Hope for Truth and Justice in Pidie-Aceh, Indonesia
4 years ago – PRESS RELEASE Remembering Rumoh Geudong, Raising Hope for Truth and Justice in Pidie-Aceh, Indonesia Pidie, Aceh, Indonesia, 3 March 2020 – In recognition of the International Day for the Right…
Latest News
[Press Release] Indonesia and Timor-Leste Must Do More to Search and Reunite the East Timor’s Stolen Children with their Families
4 years ago – Dili, Timor-Leste, 11 November 2019: “I feel very fortunate. I never thought I could return home after thirty-six years,” said Thiago Dos Reis Da Cunha during a meeting with the…
Latest News
[Press Release]Aceh Truth and Reconciliation Commission Public Hearing in North Aceh: The Urgency to Provide Reparation for Victims
4 years ago – Lhokseumawe, 17 July 2019 – Today, the Aceh Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) completed a public hearing for victims of past human rights violations committed in North Aceh during the…