bdnews24.com :
Bangladesh’s policy is “heavily” influenced by regional powers, especially India, says a US State Department report.
The ‘Country Reports on Terrorism 2013’ says that in the past few years, India-Bangladesh relationship has provided “openings for transnational threats”, but the present Awami League-led government has “demonstrated strong interest” in regional cooperation to fight terrorism.
The US State Department submitted the report to the Congress on Thursday.
It is an annual US assessment of “trends and events” in global terrorism during 2013.
It includes a strategic assessment, country-by-country breakdown of counter-terrorism efforts, and sections on state sponsors of terrorism, terrorist safe havens, and foreign terrorist organisations.
In its Bangladesh section, the State Department report described the country as an “influential partner” in counterterrorism in the region and said the country has continued to take strides in the fight against global terrorism.
But the report said, Bangladesh’s foreign and domestic policies are “heavily” influenced by the region’s major powers, particularly India. “The government’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts have made it more difficult for transnational terrorists to operate in Bangladesh or use its territory,” the report reads.
There were “no major terrorism-related incidents” in Bangladesh in 2013, it says.
Bangladesh government has demonstrated “political will and firm commitment” to combat domestic and transnational terrorist groups, the report added.
“….and its counterterrorism efforts made it harder for transnational terrorists to operate or establish safe havens in Bangladesh.” It listed Bangladesh’s measures in counterterrorism.
“Significant improvements have been made in the law, including more extensive criminalisation of terrorist financing, prohibition on supporting individuals rather than simply organisations who engage in terrorist activity and an ability to promptly freeze funds and assets of those engaged in or supporting terrorism.”
The report says Bangladesh uses “strategic communication” to counter violent extremism, especially among youth, citing the education ministry’s initiatives to develop curriculum for madrasas.
Bangladesh’s policy is “heavily” influenced by regional powers, especially India, says a US State Department report.
The ‘Country Reports on Terrorism 2013’ says that in the past few years, India-Bangladesh relationship has provided “openings for transnational threats”, but the present Awami League-led government has “demonstrated strong interest” in regional cooperation to fight terrorism.
The US State Department submitted the report to the Congress on Thursday.
It is an annual US assessment of “trends and events” in global terrorism during 2013.
It includes a strategic assessment, country-by-country breakdown of counter-terrorism efforts, and sections on state sponsors of terrorism, terrorist safe havens, and foreign terrorist organisations.
In its Bangladesh section, the State Department report described the country as an “influential partner” in counterterrorism in the region and said the country has continued to take strides in the fight against global terrorism.
But the report said, Bangladesh’s foreign and domestic policies are “heavily” influenced by the region’s major powers, particularly India. “The government’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts have made it more difficult for transnational terrorists to operate in Bangladesh or use its territory,” the report reads.
There were “no major terrorism-related incidents” in Bangladesh in 2013, it says.
Bangladesh government has demonstrated “political will and firm commitment” to combat domestic and transnational terrorist groups, the report added.
“….and its counterterrorism efforts made it harder for transnational terrorists to operate or establish safe havens in Bangladesh.” It listed Bangladesh’s measures in counterterrorism.
“Significant improvements have been made in the law, including more extensive criminalisation of terrorist financing, prohibition on supporting individuals rather than simply organisations who engage in terrorist activity and an ability to promptly freeze funds and assets of those engaged in or supporting terrorism.”
The report says Bangladesh uses “strategic communication” to counter violent extremism, especially among youth, citing the education ministry’s initiatives to develop curriculum for madrasas.
