Fighting
extremism :
Beyond
free speech and ‘freedom to insult’
Desra Percaya ; Indonesian
ambassador/permanent representative of Indonesia
to the United
Nations, New York
|
JAKARTA
POST, 06 Februari 2015
The fallout from the recent violent attacks by extremists
on French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo has reached far beyond the borders
of France.
This type of problem is not new and the recent killings in
Paris highlight again at least three persisting facts related to this issue
that need to be focused on in the quest for an effective solution.
First, the incidents did not occur in a vacuum. While they
were rooted in local social realities, they triggered worldwide repercussions
that affected people who had nothing to do with them.
A new wave of Islamophobic sentiment that threatens social
cohesion and co-existence in affected pluralistic communities were expected
following news of the attacks that were attributed to Islamists. The attacks
have driven the surge of stigmatization against those groups of people for
something they did not do, do not think and certainly do not wish for and
therefore further alienated some of those poor and powerless minority groups.
Mass protests, some of which led to riots, took place in
some parts of the world over the unfolding news related to those events and
the perceived way these people were handled, regrettably resulting in
innocent casualties.
Second, the issue involves a complex phenomenon with
multidimensional challenges and cannot be characterized simply as violent
extremism versus free speech. It has brought about diverse narratives in
describing and understanding the problems by different groups of society.
It has also brought again to the surface the controversy
over the limits of free speech, tensions between civil liberty and public
security, perceived double standards and even the disintegration of values or
incoherence in their observance in those societies that pride themselves as
champions of equality and human rights advocacy.
Without seriousness shown in addressing these
value-related issues, this situation could worsen the trust deficit existing
in some societies and prevent the international community from developing a
united front to combat violent extremism in all its aspects.
Third, this issue recurs from time to time without
countries individually or collectively being ready to confront or deflate it
with an effective and comprehensive response to at least mitigate its impact.
As a multi-ethnic and multi-religion nation, Indonesia,
where respect and tolerance are long-standing values and the foundation of
the state, this issue is very close to the core pillar of our society.
It is therefore not without reason that the government has
been actively engaging various stakeholders at the domestic, regional and
global levels to find a comprehensive solution to the problem.
On Jan. 26, Indonesia and Sweden co-hosted a high-level dialogue
at the UN headquarters in New York with the theme “Staying Together —
Dialogue in the Face of Violent Extremism”. The event featured prominent
panelist, including the UN deputy secretary-general, UN high commissioner for
human rights; UNESCO director general, representatives of the Organization of
the Islamic Cooperation and the UN Alliance of Civilizations, as well as a
representative of Indonesian civil society organizations. Participants
included Swedish foreign minister Margot Wallström.
All those present at that the dialogue were united in
denouncing and condemning violence being perpetrated by extremist individuals
and groups, and also in reaffirming that such repugnant conduct should not be
attributed to any particular religion or its followers in general.
Nonetheless, what we need now are not rhetorical
statements or “unilateral measures”, but effective solutions.
To start with, the international community must forge a
common platform that facilitates joint action by all stakeholders for countering
violent extremism in all stages and in a comprehensive manner, along with
respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.
We need a platform that provides a broad range of common
tools for members of the international community to deal with this type of
issue in concert and synergy, whenever it arises.
The absent of this common platform has so far led to the
fragmented approach by the international community, which has been
counterproductive in confronting such a complex and sensitive issue. A common
platform has so far never been easy to achieve, but is certainly within
reach. It does not require a new set of norms such as a protocol or
convention.
To achieve this, we must begin with an attitude of
openness and mutual respect. It is only with this that a platform can be
developed. It is critical that such a platform is not based on one single set
of universal values but is cognizant and respectful of different sets of
equally important values that exist and are highly observed in various communities.
Only with an attitude of this nature can a common solution
to the problems be devised not based on a single narrative but that seriously
takes into account the diverse narratives of others. ●
|
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar