Democracy, not military rule, can ensure security
It is democracy and human development, not the military regime or arms, which can ensure security and peace in any part of the world, said Commerce Minister Faruk Khan at an international conference yesterday.
"Today, many are appreciating Bangladesh's economic progress. This has been possible because of democracy. Weapons can do nothing if there is no security of common people," he said.
Khan, a military personnel-turned politician, was speaking at the inaugural session of a conference titled "Promoting Security Sector Reform in South Asia: Lessons from Japanese Experience."
Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised the two-day programme at its auditorium in the city. Experts from Japan and South Asian countries attended the event.
Ensuring education, health and food is the base of security, while fundamentalism stems out of ignorance and deprivation, said Faruk Khan.
"Battles and wars were not able to solve insurgency and terrorism. When you try to solve these problems by war, you give birth to many other problems," he said.
The minister said deployment of armed forces in the Chittagong Hill Tracts could not address insurgency. Later, in 1997, the then government signed peace treaty to calm the situation, he noted.
He mentioned that this is the first time that all the South Asian nations now have democracy, a system of governemnt that uses dialogue as its instruments to establish peace, and facilitates peoples' development efforts.
Japan, a non-western superpower, can be a glaring example for South Asia in economic development and internal security regime, said the minister.
Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh Tamotsu Shinotsuka said Japan is an active partner in South Asian development process. Cultural exchanges and partnering in trade and socio-economic development are the main focus of the relationship, he said.
He said security sector reform, emphasising social security, is very important in the region. "If we can bring harmony in South Asia, we can bring more resources for human development," he noted.
Presiding over the session, BIISS Chairman Maj Genl Muhammed Firdaus Mian said individual security is at the core of national security. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding the issue, he said stressing the need for reforms in the security forces.
"Now, there are lot of non-traditional security threats. Tsunami, tidal surge, earthquake, and cyclone could hit anytime," Firdaus Mian said, adding, "We want to learn from each other's experiences in tackling these threats"
After the Second World War, Japan rose from ashes and ruins. That was possible because of their focus on human development, he said.
Japan's security forces' objective is to ensure internal protection, not engaging in battles outside the country, said Firdaus Mian.
Security Analysts Brig Gen (retd) Shahedul Anam Khan and Dr Toshiya Hoshino of Japan presented papers at the working session. BIISS Acting Director General Col AKM Nazrul Islam gave welcome address.
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