Komnas HAM wants transparency on military involvement in counterterrorism

Jakarta, InfoPublik - National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) requested a transparency in the drafting process of the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) on military involvement in combating terrorism.

In a written statement received by InfoPublik on Wednesday (9/5), Komnas HAM’s coordinator of assessment and research subcommittee Choirul Anam explained that military involvement in counterterrorism operations must be based on state of prominence and carried out proportionally in terms of scope, threat scale, power execution measure, and the time frame of military placement.

He reckoned that military involvement in combating terrorism must be regulated in a clear mechanism under the coordination of civilian supremacy. "Civil authorities can mobilize the military in certain levels and escalations when terrorism threatens the sovereignty of the state and legal institutions are not capable to fight it anymore," he said.

He explained this mechanism must include the rules of involvement as well as the rights and duties of assigned personnel. He expected a well-defined mechanism which will encourage a more transparent and accountable process of combating terrorism will be created.

He added the formation of a supervisory team on the implementation of counterterrorism by the House of Representatives must also involve Komnas HAM. Therefore, the operation will be in line with the respect for human rights standard principles and instruments. (Reporter: Jhon Rico, Translator: Erik Limantara)