Synergy Association For Victims

Synergy Association for Victims is a non-profit organization established on March 11, 2021. It works to seek justice for victims of violations in Syria by empowering them to represent themselves, claim their rights, and actively participate in truth-seeking, accountability, and justice processes.

The Association operates primarily in North and Northeast Syria, where it documents various patterns of human rights violations, as well as collects and preserves evidence and testimonies in accordance with human rights standards, contributing to uncover the truth and achieve accountability. Synergy also focuses on empowering victims and survivors, advocating for their causes, and enhancing their participation in decision-making processes, with the aim of building a community that recognizes, claims, and actively demands its rights.

Synergy adopts a community-based organizing approach by bringing together victims and survivors, strengthening their capacities, and directly involving them in the design of plans and policies, as well as in the implementation of activities. The Association is officially registered in both Germany and Syria, and is a member of the Truth and Justice Charter, the Justice, Truth, and Accountability Group in Syria, the Human Rights Reference Group (HRRG) of the United Nations, and the International Network of Victims and Survivors of Serious Human Rights Violations (INOVAS).

Grounded in its firm belief that victims must be at the forefront of efforts to defend their own rights, Synergy has supported and established victim- and survivor-led initiatives. These include the Missing Persons’ Families Platform in North and East Syria (MPFP-NES) and the Network of Statelessness Victims in al-Hasakah (NSVH), aiming to empower victims, strengthen their representation, and work toward the restoration of their civil and legal rights.

Our Vision:

A Syria governed by justice, where all people live in safety and dignity.

Our Mission:

Documenting diverse patterns of human rights violations in North and Northeast Syria and collecting and preserving evidence and testimonies to contribute to truth-seeking, accountability, and justice. In addition, strengthening the capacities of victims and advocating for their causes, with the aim of building a society that actively claims and demands its rights.

Synergy’s Core Principles and Values:

- Best Interests of Victims/Victim-Centered Approach: Synergy places victims and survivors at the core of all its work and recognizes them as rights-holders with agency over their own causes, as well as over the information and testimonies they choose to share. All planned interventions are guided by a central question: How does this intervention serve the best interests of victims?
- Do No Harm: Synergy prioritizes the safety and well-being of beneficiaries, staff members, and all other relevant stakeholders. The Association is committed to ensuring that its work does not, under any circumstances, expose any individual to harm or undue risk; All interventions and professional conduct are assessed and guided by this principle.
- Impartiality: While Synergy advocates for the rights and causes of victims, it maintains strict impartiality in its documentation and human rights work. The Association documents violations wherever they occur and regardless of the parties responsible, operating independently and without bias or preconceived assumptions.
- Professionalism and Credibility: Synergy upholds the highest professional standards in monitoring, documentation, and analysis through field-based work, engagement with local communities, and rigorous verification and review processes. Our team is committed to objectivity, discipline, and integrity, while maintaining the human dimension central to our work. We recognize the profound responsibility we carry toward the victims and witnesses who entrust us with their experiences.
- Creativity and Sustainable Impact: Synergy measures its success by its ability to generate positive, lasting change. To achieve this, it embraces innovative approaches and continuously refines its tools and methodologies to maximize impact on human rights and community well-being.
- Complementarity and Integration: Synergy works in close collaboration with diverse local and international civil society actors to maximize impact. The Association also views itself as a continuation and complement to the efforts of other Syrian organizations, contributing to the construction of a cohesive Syrian narrative grounded in justice and human rights.

Our Distinct Approach:

Synergy is founded as a victims-led initiative, which distinguishes its approach from many other human rights organizations. Beyond documenting human rights violations, advocating for victims, and promoting their rights, Synergy emphasizes organizing victims, survivors, and their families, enhancing their legal awareness, and strengthening their capacity to lead these efforts themselves. The Association also works to ensure that victims’ voices are heard in regional and international conferences and forums, enabling their meaningful participation in truth-seeking, accountability, and justice processes.

Protection:

Given the sensitive nature of Synergy’s work, it prioritizes the safety and privacy of its team, partners, and beneficiaries. Synergy, therefore, implements strict policies and protocols designed to mitigate risks of digital breaches, enhance physical security, and ensure data protection.

These policies are regularly updated, including the Security Management Plan and the Information Security Plan, in response to evolving contexts and potential threats. Synergy also maintains a dedicated protection protocol for its staff operating both inside Syria and abroad.

All personnel—particularly researchers, investigators, and data analysts—receive regular training in digital and physical security. Upon joining the Association, all staff sign a ‘’Confidentiality Agreement’’, outlining guidelines for safeguarding colleagues, partners, and beneficiaries.

This framework ensures a safe working environment, protects sensitive information, and minimizes risks to victims and Synergy’s team arising from the sensitive nature of human rights work.

Contact us:

For any questions or inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us through:

Phone: +964 751 048 3382 (via WhatsApp & Signal)

Email: contact@hevdesti.org