National Counter Terrorism Strategy
BEI draft at final stage to help govt
Says US expert
Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) in association with Defense Institutions Reform Initiative (DIRI), USA is going to finalise a draft “National Counter Terrorism Strategy” to assist the government.
John Hansen, DIRI programme coordinator, said this while speaking at the inaugural of a four-day workshop titled “Developing a National Counter Terrorism Strategy for Bangladesh” jointly organised by BEI and DIRI at a city hotel yesterday.
The draft would be finalised by the end of the workshop, he added.
The workshop sources said the draft is being formulated emphasising four points -- prevention, protection, persuasion and preparation -- to combat terrorism.
The government has already taken an initiative to prepare the strategy under the home ministry and several government agencies, says the ministry sources.
Speakers at the workshop said though Bangladesh gained independence 40 years ago, it is yet to have any “National Counter Terrorism Strategy” of its own.
Dr Gowher Rizvi, the prime minister's adviser on international affairs, said the core of terrorism lies in sections that do not believe in democracy and the country's liberation and thus invite undemocratic elements to power.
Election Commission (EC) can be strengthened within six months or so to hold free and fair elections and check such elements coming to power, he said while speaking as the chief guest.
He said Bangladesh has been facing terrorism for a long time in the form of assassinations of many political leaders.
Rizvi said the army is blamed for military takeover of the government and some sections consider using the cantonment as a shortcut to gain political power.
“The 15th amendment has restored democracy and has adopted measures so that we no longer become subject to undemocratic power. We need a mechanism instead of a caretaker government to hold free and fair elections,” he said.
If EC is strengthened and allowed to discharge its duty, it will be able to hold credible elections, he added.
Relations between civilians and the military should be strengthened and military should build professionalism and strong chain of command under the civil authority. The military should help the government in combating terrorism, he said.
Replying to a query of reporters there, he said calling hartal is a democratic right and the government cannot stop it. But at the same time the government has to uphold the rights of citizens to work and move freely.
BEI and DIRI, under a project since November 2009, earlier held three workshops attended by military, government and civil society members and foreign experts.
BEI President Farooq Sobhan and Chargé d'Affaires of US Embassy in Dhaka Nicolas J Dean attended the function.
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