Bangladesh will prevail in the face of global violent extremism: US

The US point person for civilian security and human rights around the world believes Bangladesh with its rich democratic and cultural background will prevail in the face of violent extremism worldwide.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 30 March 2016, 02:30 PM
Updated : 30 March 2016, 05:58 PM

But for this to happen, Sarah Sewall says, the people must "stay true to their deepest traditions – of inclusion, democracy, and trusting in the power of people".

She said her country would continue to partner with Bangladesh in the fight against terrorism and to help build a bright and secure future.

The visiting under-secretary for civilian security, democracy and human rights was speaking at Dhaka University on “our common struggle against violent extremism” on Wednesday, the first day of her visit.

A former teacher at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, Sewall came to Dhaka on Tuesday night for a two-day visit to meet government officials and civil society representatives to discuss governance issues and cooperation in countering violent extremism.

She joined the State Department in February, 2014.

In her lecture before the students of international relations, Sewall spoke about the global threats of violent extremism and the way of prevention.

She said terrorism and violent extremism were not new threats. “But in the global age when people connect through travel, trade and technology like never before, this terror threat has evolved in profound ways.”

She said violent extremists explore “weak governance and local resentment” to infect new communities and “to sow instability and violence across the globe”.

For example, she said even as the Islamic State loses its ground in Iraq and Syria, its followers have dispersed and resurfaced in new places like Afghanistan and Libya.

“They continue to inspire terrorist violence far from battle fields in the Middle-East,” she said, referring to the recent attacks in Brussels, Paris, and Istanbul.

The US is also targeted, she said.

In Bangladesh, she cited the recent killings that included religious leaders and bloggers. She said the terrorists did not just attack the Bangladeshi people, they attacked “your long tradition of open debate, religious tolerance and moderation”.

The under-secretary said violent extremists want “to sow fear to divide and to provoke overreactions that feed the cycle of bloodshed on which they thrive”.

“They only see the lines that separate us. They do not appreciate and respect the profound ties that bind us together.”

She said the people of Bangladesh, with its legacy of freedom in the face of repression, its culture enriched by diversity, and its story of “amazing progress” in the face of obstacles, will also prevail over violent extremist forces.

“As you work on that goal, you should have no doubt that the US will continue to partner with you,” she said.

But she also pointed out that both the people and the governments needed to work “in partnership” to overcome the challenge of violent extremism.

The government has a role that goes beyond armies and police. When the governments do their jobs legitimately and well, violent extremists facedifficulty taking root in local communities, she added.

“They (governments) need to govern effectively, transparently and inclusively in order to limit grievances that allow violent extremists to infect new communities.”

For example, Sarah Sewall said, “The local functionary who demands a bribe just to do his or her job, the police officer who fails to protect a certain neighbourhood or group, the government agency that perpetuates marginalization by never responding to the community request for more schools or better roads, all these things can help make people vulnerable to the false promises of violent extremists.”

She also referred to the UN secretary general’s comment and said government anti-terrorism policy should not make the problem worse.

The UN chief felt that “when government uses the fight against terrorism to undermine democracy and the rule of law, for example, targeting political opponents, by allowing arbitrary detention, by using excessive force, by restricting political space, all actions can drive people towards extremism and violence”.

She did not make any particular comment on Bangladesh, when asked about the country where the opponents always claim arbitrary detention of their activists by government forces.

Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddiqui and US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat spoke at the lecture, among others.

The under secretary also visited the Dhakeshwari National Temple on Wednesday and listened to concerns of the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.