Bangladesh Crisis is a Chance to Right the Fight Against Islamism

[Valin]

The Foundry:

James Carafano

December 29, 2013

 

 

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Violence and turmoil have reached levels unknown since the 1971 war that birthed the nation. At the heart of the tumult are controversies sparked by upcoming national elections.

 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been conducting a virulent anti-Islamist campaign. The government has banned the Jamaat-e-Islami political party, and Hasina pushed through the trial and execution of a key JI leader who was accused of committing war crimes during the Bangladesh war for independence.

 

All this has outraged the main opposition party the Bangladesh National Party which, while not an Islamist group per se, allies with the JI. The BNP has announced it will boycott the January election, unless the government steps down and lets a neutral caretaker regime conduct the polls. In sum, the entire democratic process is in jeopardy.

 

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