Gov't, BNPT Affirm Commitment to Pay Compensation for Victims of Terrorism

TheIndonesia.co - The National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT) has reaffirmed its commitment to fulfill the rights of and provide recovery services, including compensation, to victims and survivors of terrorist attacks in the country.

Chief of BNPT Boy Rafli Amar said in order to make services accessible for victims and survivors of terrorist attacks, the agency will collaborate with concerning institutions, including the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK).

“Including in the efforts against terrorism that threatens our unity and does not reflect who we are,” Amar said on Sunday, August 21, as reported by Antara.

Among the collaboration between BNPT and LPSK are the provision of medical assistance, psychological and psychosocial rehabilitation, as well as compensation for victims and survivors.

On the same occasion, chair of LPSK Hasto Atmojo Suroyo said the agency will accelerate and encourage compensation accessibility for victims and survivors of terrorism by continuing to educate the scheme to more people.

“We will keep disseminating [information related to the scheme], so we can reach them,” Suroyo stated, adding that victims and survivors of terror attacks are state responsibility and that the state must be present to assist them.

Meanwhile, the Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD expressed the same commitment and revealed that compensation had been paid to 650 out of 1,370 victims of terrorism in Indonesia.

“This means [the government] still needs to process compensation for half of the victims,” Mahfud said.