ISIS Position in International Law

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 60 views

Introduction

The emergence of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Indonesia in 2014 has sparked a significant debate on the legal status of its members, particularly those who have joined the organization from Indonesia. The phenomenon of Indonesian citizens burning their passports as a symbol of their attachment to the organization has raised questions about their citizenship status in the context of Indonesia's national law and international law. This article aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia, comparing national and international law.

ISIS Position in International Law

From an international legal perspective, ISIS's declaration as a state is not recognized due to its failure to meet the requirements stipulated in Article 1 of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the rights and obligations of the State. These criteria include permanent populations, defined areas, government, and the ability to interact with other countries. As a result, the existence of ISIS cannot be recognized as a country in the context of international law. This raises questions about the legitimacy of ISIS's claims to territory and the rights of its members, including those from Indonesia.

Citizenship Status According to Indonesian National Law

According to the statement of Joko Widodo, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, former Indonesian citizens who have joined ISIS are referred to as "former Indonesian citizens of former ISIS members." This assumption suggests that their citizenship status can be affected. However, according to Government Regulation No. 21 of 2022, which amended Government Regulation No. 2 of 2007, there are no provisions that automatically revoke citizenship status for those who join ISIS. This is because the existing provisions do not include reasons for revocation of citizenship in this context.

Comparison of National and International Law

At the international level, there is an emphasis on preventing conditions without citizenship, as stipulated in the 1961 Convention on Reduction of Citizenship and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Both of these instruments set basic rights and legal protection for individuals. In contrast, Indonesia does not recognize or facilitate the return of its citizens who joined ISIS, unlike countries such as the United States, France, and Germany, which allowed former ISIS members to return with certain conditions, including emphasis on children's return as a form of legal protection.

The Role of International Law in Preventing Statelessness

The 1961 Convention on Reduction of Citizenship and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights emphasize the importance of preventing conditions without citizenship. This is particularly relevant in the context of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia, who may face challenges in regaining their citizenship status. International law provides a framework for protecting the rights of individuals, including those who have been affected by conflict or terrorism.

The Challenge of Harmonizing National and International Law

Indonesia is faced with the challenge of harmonizing its national law with international law in dealing with citizenship issues related to individuals involved in radical groups. This requires careful consideration of the rights and interests of both the individual and the state. In this context, Indonesia needs to balance its national security concerns with its international obligations to protect the rights of its citizens.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the status of citizenship of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia is still recognized, in accordance with applicable national law. However, this raises questions about the legitimacy of ISIS's claims to territory and the rights of its members. Indonesia needs to carefully handle this issue to avoid the possibility of statelessness and ensure the protection of the rights of the individual, while still considering national security. A comprehensive analysis of the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia requires a comparative study of national and international law.

Recommendations

Based on this analysis, the following recommendations are made:

Review of National Law: Indonesia should review its national law to ensure that it is in line with international law and provides adequate protection for the rights of its citizens.
International Cooperation: Indonesia should engage in international cooperation to address the challenges of preventing statelessness and ensuring the protection of the rights of individuals affected by conflict or terrorism.
Balancing National Security and Human Rights: Indonesia should balance its national security concerns with its international obligations to protect the rights of its citizens, ensuring that the rights of the individual are respected and protected.

Future Research Directions

This study highlights the need for further research on the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia. Future research should focus on the following areas:

Comparative Study of National and International Law: A comprehensive comparative study of national and international law is needed to provide a deeper understanding of the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia.
Case Studies: Case studies of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia who have attempted to return to the country should be conducted to provide a more nuanced understanding of the challenges they face.
International Cooperation: Research should be conducted on the role of international cooperation in addressing the challenges of preventing statelessness and ensuring the protection of the rights of individuals affected by conflict or terrorism.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

Scope: The study focuses on the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the broader context of international law and national law.
Methodology: The study relies on a qualitative analysis of national and international law, which may not provide a complete picture of the complexities of the issue.
Data: The study relies on secondary data, which may not be comprehensive or up-to-date.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia, comparing national and international law. The study highlights the challenges of harmonizing national and international law in dealing with citizenship issues related to individuals involved in radical groups. Recommendations are made for reviewing national law, engaging in international cooperation, and balancing national security and human rights. Future research directions are also identified, including a comparative study of national and international law, case studies, and international cooperation.

Q1: What is the current status of Indonesian citizens who have joined ISIS?

A1: According to the statement of Joko Widodo, the President of the Republic of Indonesia, former Indonesian citizens who have joined ISIS are referred to as "former Indonesian citizens of former ISIS members." However, there are no provisions that automatically revoke citizenship status for those who join ISIS, as stipulated in Government Regulation No. 21 of 2022, which amended Government Regulation No. 2 of 2007.

Q2: What is the position of ISIS in international law?

A2: From an international legal perspective, ISIS's declaration as a state is not recognized due to its failure to meet the requirements stipulated in Article 1 of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the rights and obligations of the State. These criteria include permanent populations, defined areas, government, and the ability to interact with other countries.

Q3: What are the implications of the 1961 Convention on Reduction of Citizenship and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights for the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia?

A3: The 1961 Convention on Reduction of Citizenship and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights emphasize the importance of preventing conditions without citizenship. This is particularly relevant in the context of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia, who may face challenges in regaining their citizenship status. International law provides a framework for protecting the rights of individuals, including those who have been affected by conflict or terrorism.

Q4: How does Indonesia balance its national security concerns with its international obligations to protect the rights of its citizens?

A4: Indonesia needs to carefully handle this issue to avoid the possibility of statelessness and ensure the protection of the rights of the individual, while still considering national security. A comprehensive analysis of the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia requires a comparative study of national and international law.

Q5: What are the recommendations for reviewing national law, engaging in international cooperation, and balancing national security and human rights?

A5: Based on this analysis, the following recommendations are made:

Review of National Law: Indonesia should review its national law to ensure that it is in line with international law and provides adequate protection for the rights of its citizens.
International Cooperation: Indonesia should engage in international cooperation to address the challenges of preventing statelessness and ensuring the protection of the rights of individuals affected by conflict or terrorism.
Balancing National Security and Human Rights: Indonesia should balance its national security concerns with its international obligations to protect the rights of its citizens, ensuring that the rights of the individual are respected and protected.

Q6: What are the future research directions for this study?

A6: Future research should focus on the following areas:

Comparative Study of National and International Law: A comprehensive comparative study of national and international law is needed to provide a deeper understanding of the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia.
Case Studies: Case studies of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia who have attempted to return to the country should be conducted to provide a more nuanced understanding of the challenges they face.
International Cooperation: Research should be conducted on the role of international cooperation in addressing the challenges of preventing statelessness and ensuring the protection of the rights of individuals affected by conflict or terrorism.

Q7: What are the limitations of this study?

A7: This study has several limitations, including:

Scope: The study focuses on the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia and does not provide a comprehensive analysis of the broader context of international law and national law.
Methodology: The study relies on a qualitative analysis of national and international law, which may not provide a complete picture of the complexities of the issue.
Data: The study relies on secondary data, which may not be comprehensive or up-to-date.

Q8: What are the implications of this study for policymakers and practitioners?

A8: This study highlights the need for policymakers and practitioners to carefully consider the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia, balancing national security concerns with international obligations to protect the rights of individuals. A comprehensive analysis of the citizenship status of ex-ISIS members from Indonesia requires a comparative study of national and international law.

Q9: What are the future implications of this study for the field of international law and national law?

A9: This study has implications for the field of international law and national law, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of the complexities of citizenship status and the challenges of preventing statelessness. Future research should focus on the role of international cooperation in addressing these challenges.

Q10: What are the final recommendations for policymakers and practitioners?

A10: Based on this analysis, the following recommendations are made:

Review of National Law: Indonesia should review its national law to ensure that it is in line with international law and provides adequate protection for the rights of its citizens.
International Cooperation: Indonesia should engage in international cooperation to address the challenges of preventing statelessness and ensuring the protection of the rights of individuals affected by conflict or terrorism.
Balancing National Security and Human Rights: Indonesia should balance its national security concerns with its international obligations to protect the rights of its citizens, ensuring that the rights of the individual are respected and protected.