Radicalization is a malevolence which threadbare the societal fabric and resulted into violent extremism and inexorable militancy. Our miseries are ineluctably the yield of our doings. This phenomenon is intriguing and perplexing in its repercussions. It is a result of misdirected aggressive impulses and stray behaviour is leitmotif of radicalization process. Radicalization is a mindset of deviation from law with extremist views and violent means. Radicalism may be called a religious aggression. Radicalization is a group phenomenon where views and actions become violent in a comparative perspective. Radicalization means trying to impose one’s opinion upon others using force. It is intolerance and inflexible attitude. Radicals wrongly interpret religion. Religion is being used to achieve political goals through violent means in many instances.
De-radicalization is used to refer to programmes that are pre-dominantly directed against individuals who have become radical with the aim of re-integrating them into society or at least dissuading them from violence. It involves both cognitive and behavioral aspects. De-radicalization is the psychic-social readjustment of incarcerated repentant individuals.
There are many international de-radicalization and rehabilitation programs. Saudi Arabia has started a successful program by the name of ‘Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Aftercare Programs (PRAC)’. Indonesia’s program focused on changing the ideologies of imprisoned terrorists through the use of repentant jihadis and co-opted terrorists approaching in jails with counseling. In Turkey, Social Outreach Program of Counter Terrorism Department is also a success story. The Saudi and Singaporean rehabilitation programmes both emphasize on the situation of detained militants and their kith and kin. Both programmes invoke awareness among the population and accentuate the significance of young people as they are more vulnerable to prone towards extremist indoctrination. Special focus on modern electronic amenities need to be taken on board as internet has become major source to radicalize the society by exploiting the fault lines present in religious interpretations. Yemini rehabilitation programme engage moderate religious clerics to counter the militant’s rhetoric. Stringent follow up of the released deradicalize militants is awfully necessary. The host community must be sensitized about the rigours of militants and help society embracing the reformed militants as normal and respected citizen. Religious dialogue is imperative to counter radical ideologies and disinfect the militants from extremist underpinnings. After-care programmes as implemented in Saudi-Arabia is lynch pin for the accomplishment of de-radicalization process. Therefore, it is imperative to start a de-radicalization program in Pakistan.
The establishment of “Halfway houses” with the intention of rehabilitation and de-radicalization of militants is awfully necessary to steer clear of the menace of terrorism. Swat De-Radicalization Model is an enviable endeavour to rehabilitate the captured and turned militants. Although CTD Punjab is trying hard to arrest terrorists and prosecute them yet, for a longer term solution, merely a security oriented approach is insufficient. A socio-political approach focusing on preventing the citizens from getting radicalized, leading to extremism and terrorism is the way forward. The mammoth efforts are urgent need of the present turbulent time to first disengage the militants from terrorist activities and then rehabilitation them into the mainstream society. There is strong demand to refurbish and bolster the mandate of NACTA, Counter terrorism force and legal regime in order to curb the nefarious designs and fanged tentacles of ghastly terrorists. The Interior ministry requires to adopt robust measures to eradicate radicalization and for this purpose, there is strong need to establish de-radicalization and rehabilitation centers and initiate exhaustive programmes with the coordination and collaboration of TEVTA, CTD, Psychologists, Doctors, Intelligentsia, host community, moderate religious clerics, well reputed NGOs and reformed militants to facilitate and financed the rehabilitation programmes. Strong counter-narrative is essential to thwart the indoctrination propaganda of nefarious elements. There is neither quick fix to eradicate radicalization and nor walk over to De-radicalize the militants who are ideological adamant and psychological inured.
Swat De-radicalization model is supreme in its results. Rehabilitation efforts are commendable and magnificent in its product which is ushering of peace in society to large extent. It is all because of overwhelming role of army and relentless surveillance of reformed militants. Prevention, containment, curtailment, elimination and consolidation phases are as important as the significance of averting the malady of recidivism. After care programmes should be as strong and robust as prevention and rehabilitation phases.
Rehabilitation is awfully necessary to rectitude the skewed situation of militancy. It has become indispensable to dispel flawed notions of Islam allowing violence and terrorism. For the success of De-radicalization process, the national narrative is potent need to embrace pluralism and secularism warranting having decisions about political, social and religious without fear and persecution. The concerned authorities require elevating their focus on high risk militants and high level facilitators. The rehabilitation of high risk militants increases the credibility of De-radicalization measures.
Swat De-Radicalization Model is magnum opus to fight against extremism and efforts to rehabilitate the militants. The flip side of this model is mainly its predominant focus on Low-cadre extremists. The present security scenario warrants complete denunciation of extremism and militancy in all its forms and manifestations. The focus should be diverted to mid-level and top level leadership of militant organizations to impair the ideological underpinnings and to discredit the narrative of miscreants. When we examine the militant landscape of our country, we come to conclusion that the mid-level cadre is more prone towards radicalization as more vulnerable to political and ideological exploitations.
The rehabilitation efforts done by Counter terrorism department with the collaboration of TEVTA have not been continued which help in growing militancy without let and hindrance. Swat Model should be replicated with revamped framework redressing the ideological aggrandizement and pooling the financial constraints. For effective De-radicalization drive, the civil administration should come forward and yolk the responsibility. The precedents reflect that the countries who claim success in De-radicalization endeavours predicated on the initiation of political Government and buttressed on political will. The Civilian administration implemented the vision of political Government. The De-radicalization process demands credibility, sustainability, legitimacy and prowess of mandate to address the political, ideological and cultural sensitivities that are the bedrock of De-radicalization process. The Homeland security requires a holistic approach to address the grievances of aggrieved groups. The drivers of radicalizations need to be countered up to the hilt.
Our society is victim of extremist’s rhetoric and misinterpretation of religious injunctions. Intensive religious debate and psychological counselling well placed mechanism to rehabilitate the internees and after care surveillance help militants to avoid relapsing and recrudescence to combat activity. The disparities in resource availability need to be addressed at the earliest. The credible religious figures and intellectual anchors need to be engaged to have discourse with militants and make them realize of their doings contravention of not only religion but also established norms of society.
There is a strong need to develop and tailor all-embracing De-radicalization programme keeping in view the topography, geography, ideology, modus operandi, financing, ambit of influence, skewed rhetoric, alliances, age and scale of radicalism. The SWOT analysis can go a long way in formulating all-encompassing strategy to fight the scourge of radicalism. The prison system needs to be ameliorated to house militants separately from the ordinary criminals. It is almost seven years since the establishment of Swat De-radicalization model. There is strong need to address the flaw backs in the rehabilitation structure. The counter terrorism department should come forward to curb hate speeches, wall-chalking, misuse of loud-speakers, misuse of social media and above all cessation of hostilities among sects. It is high time to assess the de-radicalization programme, value the recidivism rates and allow for access to the data and measures so far taken in connection with de-radicalization and de-militarized the society. Linkage between inputs and output are essential to evaluate the strength and weakness of de-radicalization programmes. Inter-state cooperation is fulcrum in the development of rehabilitation programmes. The successful policy making and its smooth implementation is the natural corollary of solid and result-orientated dialogue with stake-holders. De-radicalization measures are anathema for doomsayers who feel that militant’s rhetoric cannot be countered. The successful Zarb-e-Azb and de-radicalization measures have etiolated the militant’s outlets and impair their ideological attractions.
De-radicalization is a soft approach to fight against terrorism without contravention to fundamental human rights. This is cost effective option. Pakistan needs to invest more for giving incentives and conducive environment to receptive detained militants and radicalized elements within the society. The reforms in prisons help reducing radicalism. The prisoners should be given proper education, food and lodging facilities. The correctional lectures be delivered to them in order to sooth their agonies and yielding a positive dividend in terms of de-radicalization. They should have access to watch television and read newspapers. The Police department and penitentiary facilities should be closely associated for better and smooth process of de-radicalization.
Excellent article ?
It’s need of the day to curb militancy in each and every sector of the society