UN General Assembly, Indonesia Shares Strategies for Rehabilitation of Ex-terrorists

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi shared the country’s experiences in rehabilitating and reintegrating former terrorists at the 13th Ministerial Plenary Meeting of the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly's High-Level Week in New York, United States, on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

The GCTF is an international forum for global cooperation and information sharing on counter-terrorism and violent extremism issues. Retno attended the forum as the co-chair of the Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Working Group. The position has been held since 2017 alongside Australia.

In her speech, Retno said the global threat of terrorism continues to grow and evolve, such as the use of online propaganda and the exploitation of new technologies, including drones and AI. Over the past five years, she said, the number of deaths from terrorism has also increased.

“For Indonesia, rehabilitation and reintegration (R&R) must encompass all aspects, not only for former terrorist prisoners, but it should also strengthen the resilience of the communities and environments that receive them,” she said.

Retno then outlined three of Indonesia's efforts to combat terrorism and radicalization. First, Indonesia emphasizes a "whole-of-government" and "whole-of-society" approach, as mandated in the National Action Plan for Preventing and Countering Extremism.

“It takes a village to turn an extremist idea into a peaceful one,” Retno said.

Secondly, ensuring that advances in technology and research are not misused. Rapidly advancing technology can provide space for the growth of extremist ideas. Retno explained that the government had launched the Indonesian Knowledge Hub (I-KHub) to integrate data systems and support research-based decision-making efforts to combat extremism while ensuring national security.

Thirdly, ensuring a safe environment to counter extremism, including through education programs for women and children. “Because extremist ideas can only thrive in a place filled with hatred,” she said.

Retno Marsudi further pinned hopes that the GCTF member countries would make a strong commitment to ensure the comprehensive implementation of the R&R strategy.

NABIILA AZZAHRA ABDULLAH

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