INDONESIA: Terrorist attacks need immediate evaluation of Anti-Terror System
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) strongly condemns the terrorist attacks and suicide bombings which occurred in
several churches in Surabaya, East Java Province. We note that the attacks resulted in at least 11 people killed and 41
injured. When the bombs exploded around 7a.m. they struck terror into the hearts of Indonesia's sizeable, minority,
Christian community. Places of worship affected included Saint Mary Immaculate (STMB) Catholic Church of Surabaya on JL,
Ngegel Madya in Gubeng, Surabaya Pentecostal Church (GPPS) on JL, Raya Arjuna and Diponegoro Indonesian Christian Church
(GKI) on JL Diponegoro. We also deplore the suicide bombing which occurred in front of the Surabaya Police Station
(Polrestabes Surabaya) on the morning of May 14, 2018.
We would like to convey our deepest condolences and support for the victims and their families. We do hope that the
families can keep strong in facing these dire circumstances affecting their lives. We sincerely feel a deep affinity for
those who have lost family members. The continuation of the terrorist attacks in Indonesia is a real threat against the
further development of human rights and democracy in the country.
In this matter, we would like to express our appreciation for the work of the Government, in particular the Police. They
helped the victims, supporting them economically and socially. It can become an entry door to provide solutions for the
victims of terrorist attacks. We fully affirm and support the National Police when they take all necessary security
measures to protect every citizen from the consequences of terrorist attacks.
The AHRC is aware that, whatever form a terrorist attack takes, it has no connection with any definite religion.
Terrorists are criminals and terrorism is a crime which the State must be aware of and deal with appropriately. The
State must have the capacity to be able to develop an early warning system, a prevention system and a credible
punishment system attached to the Indonesian Criminal Justice System.
In May of this year, terrorist suspects (detainees) attacked Police Officers at the National Police Mobile Brigade (Mako
Brimob) Detention Center in Kelapa Dua, Depok, West Java. Five (5) Mobile Brigade (Brimob) members were killed. Another
Officer is being held hostage. One terror detainee was killed during the incident after making repeated threats and
attempting to steal a police weapon.
Critiquing and learning from the above situation, the AHRC concludes that the Anti-Terror System in Indonesia remains
weak. Continuing terrorist attacks and suicide bombings give clear evidence of this. For instance suicide bombings
occurred in Jakarta as follows: Kampung Melayu (24/5/2017) and Jalan MH Thamrin (14/1/2016). Previously noted were terrorist bombings in the Bursa Efek Jakarta (2000), in Plaza Atrimum (2001), in JW Marriot
(2003), in Kuningan (2004), and in Mega Kuningan (2009). [The AHRC previous statement on terrorism can be read here].
Despite the fact that the Government has established a Special Detachment Anti-Terror Squad, known as Densus 88,
terrorism and terrorist attacks still take place frequently. Seemingly they are growing in terms of number, pattern and
forms of the crimes.
Nonetheless, we deplore that the Government’s Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law and Security (MENKOPOLHUKAM) simply
called for a faster drafting process of the New Anti-Terror Bill. The AHRC notes that the new Anti-Terror Bill needs serious revision, since the drafting committee co-opted the Military into the war against terrorism. There are no clear or detailed
reasons or rules on the involvement of the Military in the new bill. So, the Government should be very careful when
enacting the new anti-terror law involving the Military. No need to say that, the new bill must be reviewed
comprehensively, considering human rights, the Rule of Law and fair trial principles.
To this end, the AHRC is calling for the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, in particular, the Police and the
National Counter-Terrorism Agency (BNPT) to thoroughly review their policies and roles in combating terrorism in
Indonesia. Immediate action must be taken by the Government to tackle repeated terrorist attacks occurring in the
country in these past weeks.