Govt Denies ISIS Supporters, Expert: No Human Rights Violation
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12 February 2020 21:15 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - An expert of international legal affairs Hikmahanto Juwana opined that Indonesia did not violate human rights and citizenship rights when it decided not to repatriate ISIS supporters in Syria. Because, he added, they were no longer Indonesian nationals.
“The government must understand that the repatriation may threaten the safety of the nation if it cannot handle the spread of ISIS ideology in the country,” said Hikmahanto in a written statement on Wednesday, February 12.
According to the professor, the reason behind the government’s decision to pass the repatriation plan was the citizenship status of the terrorist group fighters based on the Law No. 12/2006 on citizenship. Once they dismissed their citizenship, Hikmahanto added, the government had no obligation to repatriate them.
“As stipulated in the law, when they lose their citizenship, they are clearly not under the government’s responsibility to repatriate them or protect them. There is no such thing,” Hikmahanto remarked.
As for children of the ISIS supporters, Hikmahanto underlined that the government must examine them to what extent they had been exposed to the ISIS ideology. Moreover, if the kids are repatriated without their parents then feel pressure, it possibly sparks revenge, “that will eventually hamper the government,” he added.
Hikmawanto further suggested the government tighten the security in border areas and the immigration check. “But I believe they are far from Indonesia.”
ANTARA