1-8-2023 (JAKARTA) Indonesia’s National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) is leading the way in counterterrorism efforts by implementing a humanisation programme to rehabilitate terrorists, setting an example for other ASEAN member countries to follow, according to a terrorism expert.
Al Chaidar, a lecturer at Malikussaleh University’s Department of Anthropology, highlighted the significance of BNPT’s humanisation programme in the fight against ideological violence. He emphasized that from an anthropological perspective, combating ideological violence requires a focus on humanising individuals.
The effectiveness of the humanisation programme has gained approval from scholars and researchers, who consider it a priority in addressing crimes against humanity, including terrorism.
As Indonesia is set to chair ASEAN in 2023, Al Chaidar believes that this presents an opportunity to strengthen and further promote the humanisation programme implemented by BNPT in its deradicalisation measures.
The terrorism expert emphasized the urgency of implementing the humanisation programme, stating that terrorist cells still pose a potential threat to the Southeast Asian region. He also warned that terrorist groups could emerge with the support of state patrons, becoming non-state proxies.
With BNPT’s pioneering efforts, other ASEAN nations may find valuable insights and strategies to enhance their own counterterrorism measures and tackle the growing threat of ideological violence in the region.
