After the US and India’s willingness to work together with Bangladesh on countering violent extremism, the European Union has said it would discuss the security issue with Dhaka as “a new mapping of terror is spreading in Bangladesh”.
Referring to the recent killings of secular bloggers, teachers, online activists, religious minorities, pirs and members of the Shia Muslim minority, EU Ambassador in Dhaka Pierre Mayaudon said they as a partner of Bangladesh cannot ignore the incidents.
Following the recent spate of targeted attacks, the US and India have agreed to work together with Dhaka to counter extremism in Bangladesh. “Our three governments — Bangladesh, India and the United States — all fighting extremism. We’re all on the same page here. All three of us are on the same page in that regard,” US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat said on Monday.
Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Europe Day celebrations at the Westin Dhaka on Monday evening, the EU head of delegation in Bangladesh said it is pointless to debate whether there is presence of ISIS in Bangladesh or not.
Mayaudon said this debate would not serve any good purpose. He called upon the authorities concerned not to spend time to prove the presence of ISIS in Bangladesh. “The purpose is to contain this wave of violence.”
Mentioning about the resent gruesome murders, the EU envoy said this would be a mistake at this point of time to debate on the issue.
Those attacks and murders were certainly terrorist activities carried out by “underground groups”, he stated.
“The terrorist groups are secretive. They are not company and are not registered anywhere. They have multiple faces, multiple names and can change their identity over time.”
Responding to a question from a journalist, Mayaudon said all should avoid two mistakes — one is to exaggerate the issue and the other is to downgrade the seriousness of this situation.
The EU envoy said Europe was also facing the terrorist problems and thus the EU wants to discuss with friends who are facing the similar problems. “We as partner cannot ignore it. We have to discuss the issue seriously and we will do it very soon.”
Earlier, speaking at the celebration programme, he said Bangladesh should not lose its colours as the country has a rare combination of unity and diversity based on tradition of tolerance towards ethnical, cultural and religious pluralism.
About the killing of Rajshahi University teacher Prof Rezaul Karim Siddiquee, the ambassador said the teacher was a lover of music and ran a music school in remote Bangladesh.
Addressing the event as chief guest, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam reiterated Bangladesh’s “zero tolerance” policy against terrorism and extremism. He said Bangladesh stands by Europe in its fight against terrorism.
Source: The Daily Star
