The Indonesian government, through the National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT), is deepening its collaboration with Slovakia to combat terrorism at national, regional, and global levels. This effort reflects a shared commitment to addressing the evolving threats posed by terrorism worldwide.
In a statement released on Monday, BNPT’s Deputy for International Cooperation, Andhika Chrisnayudhanto, emphasized the need to prioritize the protection of children affected by terrorism.
“We must focus on protecting children exposed to conflict, such as the RD case in Slovakia,” Chrisnayudhanto stated. He stressed that children should be seen as victims, not perpetrators, and called for greater international attention to this issue.
Chrisnayudhanto also highlighted the growing complexity of global terrorism, noting the increasing involvement of women and children. “While countermeasures have shown positive results, threats persist, especially with women and children being exploited both as victims and perpetrators,” he remarked.
From Slovakia’s perspective, Major Martin Baran, Senior Specialist Referent from the Slovak Police Anti-Terrorism Center, outlined the country’s challenges in combating terrorism. He pointed to the risks posed by self-radicalized individuals and returning refugees from conflict zones. Slovakia has prioritized monitoring online radicalization, using advanced technology, enhancing border controls, and improving intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
“These measures are crucial for preventing extremism and supporting deradicalization efforts,” Baran explained.
Both countries aim to establish a comprehensive framework for addressing terrorism, covering prevention, response, and victim rehabilitation. Future meetings are planned to refine the implementation of these strategies and evaluate the success of current programs.
Since formalizing their cooperation in 2019, Indonesia and Slovakia have demonstrated a strong commitment to tackling global terrorism. The partnership includes sharing experiences and strategies, particularly in protecting children and enhancing deradicalization systems. This collaboration aspires to serve as a model for effective international counter-terrorism efforts.