Transformation in the countering-terrorism in Bangladesh

Global Forum for Violence-free Secular Democratic Bangladesh organized an international webinar on “Success in Combating Terrorism in Bangladesh and its Implications for Security in the Region and Beyond” on 11 December 2023.

The webinar was moderated by Dr. Nuran Nabi, Councilman, Freedom Fighter and Author.

In the webinar, papers were presented by four distinguished panelists. In the first presentation, Dr. Md. Shariful Islam, an Associate Professor of International Relations at the University of Rajshahi spoke on the “Zero-tolerance Policy of Bangladesh on Terrorism: Implications in the Region & Beyond”.

Mr. Islam argued that Bangladesh’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism under Sheikh Hasina regime (2009-present) has immensely contributed to the security of India, particularly by addressing insurgents from Northeast India. Mr. Islam also argued that Bangladesh’s zero-tolerance policy on terrorism also helped to the United States and the international community in the domain of international security.

In the second presentation, Chris Blackburn, a UK based political analyst with a strong emphasis on counterterrorism and security, argued during BNP, Jammat regime, there was Pakistanization of Bangladesh which needs to be critically looked at. He also mentioned the involvement of a Pakistani diplomat in 2015 with regard to the terrorism dynamics in Bangladesh.

In the third presentation, A B M Nasir, a professor of Economics at the North Carolina Central University how Bangladesh becomes important to the national security of the United States. He discussed how BNP-Jammat regime became a security threat the people of Bangladesh and to the national security of the United States. He suggested Bangladesh-US security cooperation needs to be deepened for the people of Bangladesh and USA.

In the fourth presentation, Paulo Casaca, the founder and Executive Director of the South Asia Democratic Forum, Brussels reiterated Bangladesh’s role in countering terrorism at national, regional and global scale. He argued that Bangladesh has become a role model in anti-terrorism domain which has been widely lauded by the international community.

Finally, the moderator of the webinar, Dr. Nuran Nabi concluded the webinar by arguing that there has been a transformation in the countering-terrorism in Bangladesh under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. And Bangladesh is doing better compared to the United States and many European countries in the context of countering terrorism.

Nabi also claimed that the extraordinary success of current prime minister Sheikh Hasina in combating terrorism is not only helping in security and sustainable economic development in Bangladesh but also in the region and beyond.