EN.MUHAMMADIYAH.OR.ID, JAKARTA— The Muhammadiyah Central Board received a delegation from the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures on Wednesday (2/9) at the Muhammadiyah Dakwah Center in Jakarta.
The meeting discussed human rights issues in Indonesia’s counterterrorism efforts, including Muhammadiyah’s approach through education, moderation, and community empowerment.
The delegation was received by Syafiq A. Mughni, Chairperson of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah; Izzul Muslimin, its Secretary; Ridho Al-Hamdi, Chairperson of the Central Board’s Department of Politics and Public Policy (LHKP), along with his team, and Trisno Raharjo, Chairperson of the Central Board’s Council for Law and Human Rights, along with his team.
A Fair and Rights-Based Approach
Syafiq welcomed the delegation’s visit, describing the meeting as an opportunity to exchange experiences and perspectives on addressing terrorism.
He also stressed the importance of viewing terrorism fairly and objectively. Counterterrorism efforts, he said, must not lead to the stigmatization of particular religious communities or faiths.
Security measures, therefore, should go hand in hand with the principles of justice and respect for human rights. The experiences shared during the meeting are expected to offer valuable input for Indonesia’s approach to counterterrorism.
Education and Moderation
Ridho said the delegation sought to understand Muhammadiyah’s perspective on the context of terrorism in Indonesia.
According to him, Muhammadiyah’s extensive resources and broad network were among the reasons the delegation was interested in learning about its involvement in responding to terrorism.
“They came to Muhammadiyah because it is a major organization with considerable resources. Naturally, they wanted to understand Muhammadiyah’s involvement in addressing terrorism and related issues,” Ridho said.
Ridho stressed that Muhammadiyah does not justify terrorism in any form. However, he said efforts to address the issue should prioritize educational approaches rather than rely solely on security measures.
Muhammadiyah’s network of schools and universities, he added, serves as an important instrument for fostering a more moderate society.
“We certainly do not condone acts of terrorism. We approach society through education, not through a military approach,” he said.
Through education, Muhammadiyah seeks to prevent terrorism by strengthening moderation and promoting a more open understanding of religion.
Protecting Human Rights in Counterterrorism
The meeting also addressed human rights protection in the handling of terrorism cases. The delegation expressed concern about the possibility of citizens being adversely affected or becoming victim during counterterrorism processes.
Ridho said this included cases in which a person was suspected of involvement in terrorism but questions later arose about whether the case had been handled accurately.
He said such issues must be examined carefully to ensure that efforts to combat terrorism continue without neglecting citizens’ rights.
“They were interested in understanding why, in certain cases, problems of mistaken targeting can arise. This is also an important concern in relation to handling terrorism cases and protecting human rights,” he said.
Both sides remain open to continuing communication, particularly through the exchange of views on human rights and counterterrorism.
The meeting is expected to strengthen an approach to counterterrorism that focuses not only on security but also on education, moderation, justice, and respect for human rights. (taufik)
