JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – The Indonesian government, through the National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT), has partnered with Slovakia to enhance their bilateral cooperation aimed at protecting children who are victims of terrorism.

This effort is part of a broader strategy to combat terrorism at national, regional, and global levels. The focus of this collaboration is to address the vulnerability of children caught in the crossfire of terrorism and conflict.

According to Andhika Chrisnayudhanto, the Deputy for International Cooperation at BNPT, both countries have recognized the urgent need to focus on protecting children who become victims of terrorism.

He highlighted the importance of international attention to this issue, referencing the case of RD in Slovakia, where children were victims, not perpetrators, of terrorism.

The threat of terrorism has evolved globally, and Andhika emphasized that women and children are no longer merely victims but are increasingly involved as both perpetrators and victims of terrorist acts. This shift in dynamics presents new challenges in the global fight against terrorism, where women and children are both at risk and a potential threat.

Major Martin Baran, Senior Specialist from Slovakia’s Anti-Terrorism Center, spoke about Slovakia’s own challenges in combating terrorism, particularly the radicalization of individuals and the return of refugees from conflict zones. He explained that Slovakia has focused on monitoring online radicalization, utilizing advanced technology, strengthening border controls, and sharing intelligence as key measures to counter extremism.

The cooperation between Indonesia and Slovakia also extends to efforts in preventing radicalization and supporting the rehabilitation of victims of terrorism. Both countries aim to create a comprehensive framework for handling terrorism, from prevention to rehabilitation, ensuring that all aspects of counterterrorism efforts are addressed.

During the meeting, BNPT and Slovak officials discussed how to implement and expand their collaborative efforts in counterterrorism, particularly focusing on protecting children from terrorist violence. They agreed on the need for continuous dialogue and future meetings to assess the progress of the programs in place.

Since the start of their partnership in 2019, Indonesia and Slovakia have shown a strong commitment to tackling the global threat of terrorism. Their collaboration has not only focused on counterterrorism strategies but also on the protection of vulnerable groups, such as children, from the devastating effects of terrorist acts.

This collaboration is expected to serve as a model for productive international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. By sharing strategies and experiences, both nations aim to strengthen their efforts to combat terrorism and radicalization, contributing to global peace and security. (Uki Ruknuddin)

 

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