Bangladeshi diaspora in Europe organises conference in Geneva on 'countering violent extremism'

The European Bangladesh Forum (EBF) has discussed the rise of violent extremism and how to counter those across the world in a conference in Geneva.

The platform of Bangladeshi diaspora in Europe said the Thursday’s conference at the Palais des Nations UN in Geneva was a follow-up event of the July 2017 held at the European Press Club in Brussels.

The objective of the Geneva conference titled “Countering Violent Extremism: European Context and the Bangladeshi Diaspora” was to uphold secularism to counter violent terrorism and rise of extremism in the name of religion across the globe including Bangladesh.

The conference brought together secular forces, activists, think tanks, politicians both national and European, journalists and created strong public opinion in favour of the secular forces and against the violent extremist groups.

Presided over by Jakob de Jong, Director of The Hague Peace, Dr. Siegfried O. Wolf, Director of Research of South Asia Democratic Forum (SADF) from Belgium, Nicola Spafford Furey, Vice President of Earth Focus Foundation from Switzerland, Prof Dr. Willem van der Geest, Chief Economist and former Director at the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs in New York, Dr. Shammi Ahmed, international Affairs Secretary Bangladesh Awami League, were the speakers.

Editor and Chief Executive Officer of Ekattor Television Samia Zaman, Chief Executive Officer of Health-Tech Foundation and Organizing Secretary of the All European Awami League Bidduth Barua, Exiled Chairman of United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), Geneva Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Coordinator of Brussels Dhaka Solidarity for Peace Committee BDSPC MM Murshed, President of Baloch Voice Association Munir Mengal and Vice President of European Bangladesh Forum Bikash Chowdhury Barua also addressed the conference.

EBF President Ansar Ahmed Ullah summed up the discussion and presented concluding remarks and EBF Country Coordinator in Switzerland Khalilur Rahman delivered vote of thanks.

They focused on the rise of violent extremism and militancy not only in Bangladesh but also in the region and the globe, the EBF said in a statement.

“They pointed at Jamat-e-Islami and other religion-based groups in the radicalisation of youth both at home and abroad. Different countries from the middle-east are also involved in financing these radical elements and organizations to destroy secularism.”

They called upon all secular groups to be united and fight against the rise of terrorism across the globe including Bangladesh.