Separatist, not terrorist: case studies from Southeast Asia

Nadirsyah Hosen

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter (Book)Researchpeer-review

Abstract

In an international arena that is dominated by media-reported terrorist attacks, what matters most is not a definition of terrorism, but rather the effect of what is labelled terrorism. As a label, terrorism promotes a greater attention from the media and policy makers in the West. The term terrorism, which many associate exclusively with fanatical, radical Islamic sects, has distorted views towards organisational violence especially after 9/11. In turn, this has created the misconception that internationally based violence is synonymous with terrorism. However, there is no all-encompassing definition of terrorism; there are only common elements that are used to determine actions as such, 1 and accordingly promote fear. The very inadequacy of this classification of terrorism is exhibited prominently throughout Southeast Asia, and particularly upon analysis of the southern regions of Thailand and the Philippines, and also in Indonesia. This highlights the need for a shift away from the destructive connotations associated with such Western interpretations of terrorism to an inherently Southeast Asian approach that takes into consideration the unique social, political, economical, and historical background in which each of these organisations exists.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationBeyond Human Rights and the War on Terror
EditorsSatvinder S. Juss
Place of PublicationAbingdon UK
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter2
Pages23-38
Number of pages16
Edition1st
ISBN (Electronic)9781351006064
ISBN (Print)9781138543775
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019

Publication series

NameRoutledge Research in Human Rights Law

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