TERRORISM : MULTIPLE FACET

　

President, ACPF Bangladesh

“Peace is a prerequisite for development and development fortifies peace”. Both require a solid foundation of justice and are seriously undermined by inequities, corruption, social disorders and escalating crime. One of the most serious threats to the society in many is that of organised crime which has posed a serious threat to economic, political and social institutions and injuring the peaceful life of the public. Criminal understandings have been discouraging domestic and foreign investments, adversely affecting the daily flow of economic activities thus undermining sound economic growth as well as political and social stability.

The global atmosphere for crime is changing. The exposure of small, poor, overpopulated and one of the least developed country like Bangladesh to international terrorism, smuggling, trafficking in illicit drugs, women & children, proliferation of arms are having its impact on domestic scene and are creating fresh challenges for the law enforcers. As the world today is getting smaller and people living in it are coming closer to each other ? the international crime syndicates are getting increasingly active and are poised to spread their tentacles both in visible and invisible linkage in different areas on one big globe. ‘If ideas travel fast, bad ideas travel faster’.

The definition of terrorism is more complicated than is ordinarily realized. This can be seen in the label of what constitutes a “Terrorist:. A practitioner of violence may be seen as either a terrorist or as a patriot largely contingent upon the social/political space observers and actors occupy” (Kelly). A dramatic example of this point is the status of American colonists in rebellion against Great Britain in the 19th century. By todays’ standards the acts of the American colonists during the prolonged and often bitter fighting could be considered to be terrorists. Similar is the case of Bangladesh in 1971 ? when the then West Pakistanis branded Bengalees as traitors and subersive elements while at home they were acclaimed as freedom fighters with heroic and noble sacrifice for the independence as worthy sons of the soil. The point is that the political dimensions enveloping the violence either tend to discredit or make it plausible.

The world is at turning point. The mark of this age is that our history and civilization has made man mortal. All of a sudden we look like little children whose actions have run ahead of their mortality and consciousness. The threat of world nuclear war has now receded to some extent. But now the danger to man is from the problems, the international community is not fully prepared to address. These are gigantic problems on a planetary scale. They need international effort to deal with them but the wealth and prowess of some big powers and ultra nationalism and fundamentalism of some small powers prevented to attain the desired result and consequently the world community as a whole is beset with ever increasing complex issues ? which desires serious and sincere endeavours e.g. requirement for partnership in turn means a requirement to be responsive and open. So to say-there must not be gap between preaching and practice, parochialism, racism, ethnic violence and hegemony of big brothers either political, cultural, economic or otherwise.

Interpol is based on respect for the worlds many differences in languages, customs and criminal justice systems. But there are common principles and fundamental truths to which all members adhere. The first is that right and wrong matter, second individuals must be accountable for their actions and third the state irrespective of its potentiality and dominance must expose transparency that innocent in every society must have the right to be protected from those who threaten them. There are few areas where this is more true than in the fight against crime. Where states were once preoccupied by war they must now also worry about other threats to their security-the terrorist, the drug dealer, the environmental criminal, the money launderer, the technological spy, the syndicates of organised crime etc. We must be vigilant and vigorous in co-operating to meet those new challenges to national security as we have been to meet the old.

The face of terrorism is changing. On the positive side traditional terrors groups e.g. Ku-Klux Klan, Aryan Nation, Black Panther, encountered in past are showing signs of decline or have been temporarily suppressed yet new organizations associated with new cause e.g. religion, ethnic difference are on the rise. To someone fundamentalists of Palestine, Libya, Algeria, Iran, Afghanistan are dreadful (e.g. Lockerbie, World Trade Centre, Munich incident) but then again many are quite critical of the inhumanly continued massacre in Yugoslavia, Iraq, Myanmar and the international umbrella of UNO has often failed to checkmate the obstination of some Bigpowers and vested interest groups of countries which is deplorable indeed !

Intervention by superpowers in the affairs of small nations has led to an acute strain in the international system for this renewed vertical intrusion seems to counteract the symmetrical aspirations of the new and small nations that moved towards independence since the end of the second World War. The cold war era witnessed polarization of superpowers and increased supply of military equipment to their respective allies. The small states of the Third World generally continue to strive towards attaining symmetrical relations with the super powers and there were determined resistance in the form of protracted struggle against all kinds of asymmetric intrusion. This has at times helped the activities of terrorist militants and thereby causing damage and casualties to some of the innocent victims too ? at the altar of the Big Brother’s unholy alliance.

Society to day is complex, torn by threats of polarization, racism and ethnic violence. The criminal element is more violent, organised, mobile and sophististicated. Law abiding community residents look to law enforcement to improve their quality of life. Law enforcement is being challenged by a tidal wave of issues of unprecendented number, variety and magnitude. The issue of violence and terrorism cut across the spectrum of financial resources, community needs and expectation, workforce composition, technology application, organisational values and alternative service delivery process. Law enforcement agencies face the risk of a variety of incidents and issues lead to a crisis environment ? budget cut, poor decision making, excessive force complaints, misconduct, substance abuse and other incidents lead to negative attention that affects more than just the relationship of the law enforcement agency and the community it serves. It also affects the careers of those involved: the managers and commanders who handle the crisis and this necessiates more pro-active approach than reactive control. And without community involvement any thing positive is hardly possible.

The increasing mobility of the population and the growing communications and financial links among different countries of the developing and developed have profoundly influenced the nature of contemporary criminality. These global changes are likely to continue fundamentally altering the development of crime and its nature and characteristics too. Coinciding with the contribution of modern technology are other developments linking the developed and developing world. The third world debt and the increasing disparities in income has also contributed to the rise of international crime particularly ? terrorism. The copy book maxims that if you are good and honest, learnt skill, you would live a comfortable life does not appeal much, rather reality showed that you could earn much even in teens if you just succeed in selling contraband and creating awe in the minds of the peace loving people. There is something in the core of materialism of success oriented combativeness which seems to tell the youth of our times to run and grab. For nothing succeeds like material success these days.

The same developments which have opened up so many marvellous possibilities for the people of the world have also created new incentives and new avenues for crime. Open frontiers which are so much benefit for freedom and propriety do not discriminate between the tourist and terrorist. An airplane which have made commerce and travel so easy have become target for extremists and transportation of criminals. The world is becoming more interdependent, so too is crime. Crime is going global. These demand national action but may also require partnership. The challenge is clear, we either work separately and loose or work together and win.

International Law recognises the utilisation of legal methods to meet the problems like terrorism and the like which affect the internal security of a country. The term ‘Internal Security’ can be said to connote not just an aggravated form of law and order problem but must comprehend within its fold an assurance of peace and provision for necessary infrastructure in which stable and peaceful condition are the prerequisite for pursuing normal vocation and proper utilisation of resources.

Observers and analysists who are pundits in criminology noticed that for the last two decades a gradual declination of the juvenile discipline amongst a section of the youth or the teenager’s has been noticed almost everywhere but unfortunately more in educational institutions of the country. In College and University Campus incidents are taking place resulting casualties from gunbattles between different student groups. Two words ‘Mastan’ and ‘Cadre’ are now known to be synonymous of notoriety especially for extortion and intimidation. And strangely enough most of the political parties are rationally aware of this but it is alleged that amongst them there are the Godfathers of these musclemen, who create reign of terror but at times remain beyond the long hand of law ? because the party interest is above everything. There have been sample surveys of different relevant authorities, institutions, researchers, to ascertain the general feeling of the politicians, guardians, teachers and common students and the findings testifies these to be the order of the day.

These days Political leaders-barring a few-are busy in petty party politics ? and many of them drink the dreams of deceased leaders only-without pragmatic vision of the country. They dare not question the students, youths and labour fronts and let things of present worsen in future too. Whereas the people want them to be of such class that they automatically become social and moral leaders of our communities. Politics and Politicians-the terms are to many - the connotation of sickening attitude and general public are aghast of corrupt bureaucracy, police excess, judiciary’s questionable integrity and business tycoons unethical quick and easy means to amass wealth and hardly any terrorists can be kept under bar for obvious reasons. The law enforcers constrainedly become the tool at the hands of the above elements but there are exceptions too ? which is the only redeeming feature.

And in the back drop of the above guidelines if we cast our eyes on the domestic scene ? one might see a dismal picture. The situation has become such ? not all at a time ? rather gradually nourished and harboured that today the term Mastan, Musclemen, Hijacker, Goon and above all political activist under the patronage of Godfather are more or less familiar to each and everyone. The scenario has become such that the ladies do not wear real jewellery rather imitation, hardly any one like to go out at night unless compelled to do so, stadium witnesses blody squabbles, tender boxes are often hijacked, firearms are brandished during broad daylight, halls are occupied forcibly, accused are not safe even in safe custody, custodian of law are making headlines ? peoples reliance in sacred institutions like judiciary education, post office, hospital are dwindled so much so that public attitude have bocome apathetic and reluctance of citizens to be involved in preserving law and order has became normal practice. This is indeed a matter of grave concern.

The increasing belief that equal protection of law, equal reasonable opportunities to access to the course of law is mandatory otherwise justice remains a myth. “Justice is always advantageous to the rich” is becoming more prevalent and some critics go that far to say that “Good laws remain in the books only and are rarely implemented”. Fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution and internationally adopted human rights are also rarely translated into reality. Lack of law enforcement duly, absence of impartiality in judgement, rampant corruption amongst public servants and people’s representatives ? society has fallen into the grip of a few terrorist and unscrupulous persons and ordinary people particularly poor, women and children are becoming hostages in their hands only to be victims of ignoble sufferings without easy remedies and mitigations thereof.

To add flame to the fire the new culture of development and that too though meant for general mass but actually remain concentrated in certain peoples of vested interested domain makes the things more confounded. The notion of centrality of law in most other matters is almost totally absent. It seems that the dominant mode of thinking is that development can be achieved without being burdened by the requirement of abiding by law. Lately there has been clear recognition that development is not merely an economic process of growth rather its methodological complications have helped international trafficking, terrorism, economic crime and breeding of corruption among the interested groups mainly through business tycoon, public servants, people’s representatives and all these are assisted through their respective musclemen, brokers and mastans who are commonly known as terrorists.

The rising incidence of international terrorism was first demonstrated here in the kidnap attempt of a diplomat at Dhaka in November 1975, hijacking of Japanese Airline and forced landing in September 1977 and the seizes of an embassy building in March 1979 and alleged fire arm despatch in 1990s. Bangladesh however tackled those situations with tact and resourcefulness though our technical capabilities to meet such violent terrorist activities are limited. Since terrorists have no national boundaries and they are indiscriminate in their areas of operation and target, international cooperation is an imperative need to combat such crime effectively. Keeping in view our background perhaps treaty of extradition with our closest neighbours and U.K., U.S.A, K.S.A could have helped us immensely. But alas we have only mutual understanding with Myanmar and Iran. But fortunately the present government has been able to sign an extradition treaty very recently with Thailand ? which enabled the government to bring to the book of justice the wanted criminal. And the terrorists might be little more cautious in their nefarious operations henceforth.

Terrorists violate human rights with far less qualm or concern than the government. The hidden agenda of the terrorist is perhaps democracy itself as it is only in democracy the rule of law subsists and their goal is to cripple that system. As a result, policemen, judiciary, politicians and their families become their prime quarry and soft tragets. The crisis gets deepened if the law and order system gets paralysed and the people are terrorised and a sort of Greek drama get ineviatably played. The international standard known as Paris Minimum Standards do provide for yardsticks in relation for upholding law consistent with human rights but it may not be easy to find satisfactory solution. But surely in the name of humanity and democracy the government must assert its potential to prevent the abuse of penal power and simultaneously the fact needs to be reminded that when the very existence of the state itself is under great jeopardy assumption of vast powers by law which trample some of the cherished rights is not unjustified. But that must be last resort, rather political consensus and commitments is a must to attain the desired goal.

The abuse of power and authority by the government agencies specially related criminal justice system result not only in grave violations of the constitution and human rights but is increasingly leading towards a situation in which police, prosecution, court and correctional agencies are seen to operate without accountability and transparency. At times they seem to enjoy impunity and operate beyond and above the role of law. These have been more confounded by the present day party politics who hardly bother about the future vision, rather often they cling to their own conviction as a result there is absence of co-operation and now general people are vulnerable to politics of confrontation. The political goons with easily available abundant guns have terrified the whole gamut of administration and in the hands of few so called Mastan ? the entire society is zimmi i.e. captive. And here lies the importance of political commitment of our leaders to be pragmatic of the situation and vouchsafe not to allow self interest above collective gains.

It is amply clear that the problem of terrorism abuse is transnational and solution there of should also emanate from the concerned multinational actions under the framework of international guidelines. And in doing this the prevalent conjecture is that the power of big concerns gives them greater influence in relationship to small ones specially in developing countries. Deeper understanding of international community has become a must for further active contribution with global perspective to the peace and prosperity of mankind from the diverse and critical problems worldwide. The victories in the permanent war against terrorism can only be won by the joint efforts of the experts in all fields of knowledge, irrespective of territorial boundary. Though we may not have a panacea for the same because there is so much we do not know but if we are to survive we need to know all that we possibly can about ourselves, our failings, our needs, our institutions, our advantages and our developments. And surely present day lawlessness and terrorism can not be checkmated unless there is attitudinal change in the heart and resultant reaction from the brain of all of us specially leaders and authorities and then and then only we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.