Draft Revision of Terrorism Law Poses Threat to Human Rights

TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Chairman of Legal, Human Rights and Public Policy of Muhammadiyah Central Executive Board Busyro Muqoddas said the draft revision of the Terrorism Law could pose a threat to human rights in the future since it has not been opened for public debate.

“From violence against freedom of association to freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly,” he said in Muhammadiyah national meeting on Sunday, August 28, 2016.

According to Busyro, the public has not been given any access to study the articles in the draft revision of Law No. 15/2003 on Terrorism Eradication.

He said the terrorism law currently being deliberated in the House of Representatives (DPR) could be used to accuse any person of subversive acts for having radical thinking. “The academic draft has never been opened for public, it’s dangerous,” he said.

Muhammadiyah has urged the DPR and the government to open the access for the public to provide input and study the draft revision of terrorism law before being passed by the DPR.

Deputy Chairman of the House's Special Committee for Counterterrorism Law Revision Ahmad Hanafi Rais said that in the deliberation of the draft revision the DPR is still focusing on military involvement in counterterrorism measure.

Therefore, he has asked the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Wiranto to facilitate dialogue between the National Armed Forces (TNI) and the National Police to get the same level of understanding.

“The law revision draft was initiated by the government,” he said on August 19.

PRIBADI WICAKSONO | AHMAD FAIZ