Asking For Serious Attention To Terrorism Victims, BNPT: Many Are Blocked From Getting Help

Director of BNPT Protection Brigadier General (Brigjen) Police Imam Margon

JAKARTA - The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) has asked ministries and institutions to seriously pay attention to citizens who are victims of terrorism crimes (survivors).

"We expect our colleagues to provide assistance to survivors, especially those with special or abnormal physical conditions," said Director of BNPT Protection Brigadier General (Brigjen) Police Imam Margono in a written statement received in Jakarta, Wednesday, March 30, quoted from Antara.

Imam Margono hopes that the conditions put forward for the victims will be eased, and the seriousness of the relevant agencies to meet the needs of the survivors.

"Many survivors of criminal acts of terrorism are prevented from getting assistance," said Imam.

He said that through a coordination meeting between the BNPT and related agencies, it would be easier and easier to find out what obstacles the ministry or agency had for the survivor program.

The results of the discussion and input from the ministries/agencies will be followed up for evaluation so that the survivors can easily obtain their rights, he said.

In line with that, Head of Sub-Directorate for Recovery of Victims of Terrorism Acts of BNPT Rahel said the role of ministries/agencies related to handling victims of criminal acts of terrorism is regulated in BNPT Regulation Number 6 of 2021.

Referring to the BNPT regulations, ministries and agencies can share information and reports on program recommendations submitted.

"We can exchange information together, compile reports that are submitted to BNPT," he said.

As additional information, in the period 2018 to 2021, the Sub-Directorate of Recovery for Victims of Terrorism Acts of BNPT has carried out the identification and assessment of 1,162 victims.

Data as of March 1, 2022, issued a letter of determination of victims of criminal acts of terrorism against 655 victims of criminal acts of terrorism in the past (the period of events from 2002 to 2018).