The concept of disengagement and de-radicalisation
Countering terrorism in Pakistan needs a multi-faceted approach, which focuses not only on eliminating the terrorists on the whole but getting rid of the root cause completely i.e., exterminating the radical beliefs and ideologies of the terrorists. Countering terrorism entails a two-pronged policy: preventing naive individuals from getting radicalised and those who are radicalised to be rehabilitated so that the rise of their extreme views may be alleviated. This can be done effectively if the state pursues an effective de-radicalisation and rehabilitation programme which should aim at terrorists or prisoners suspected or convicted of terrorist crimes and public diplomacy efforts that intend to condone the appeal of terrorist ideologies.
Unfortunately in Pakistan, bad governance, collapse of order, annihilation of institutions, divisions of societies, poverty, illiteracy, feeling of oppression etc result in the isolation of the youth from the society towards radicalisation.
Disengagement and de-radicalisation are the two techniques by which a radical individual can be de-programmed and rehabilitated in a favourable environment. Similar to a game of chess, countering radicalism is a complex phenomenon. Thus, a chess-game approach can be used to understand the threat and enemy to anticipate and thoughtfully respond to how it changes and adapts. Disengagement requires a change in behaviour but not essentially a change in a belief system. It is termed as short term and the person could depart from a radical network and not indulge in violence but still hold a radical worldview. Individual disengagement begins with a trigger, often a traumatic or violent incident.
De-radicalisation on the other hand is a long term arrangement and refers to an agenda directed against individuals who have become radical with the aim of reintegrating them back into the society and dissuading them from violence. It also means de-programming extremists individually and communally. De-radicalisation, disengagement and rehabilitation are indispensable components of any counter-extremism strategy. The national de-radicalisation policy should be comprehensive taking into account all the possible reasons that trigger the spark when the individuals react with moral outrage to the stories of their fellow Muslims who are suffering across the nation which is inflamed by an explanation that elucidates the suffering in the context of consistent policies in Western countries that are viewed as antagonistic to Muslims around the world. The consequent resentment is fuelled by negative personal experiences such as discrimination, inequality, inability to get good qualification etc and thus an individual is bound to devote himself to a terrorist network that unfortunately becomes a close knit family.
The de-radicalisation process involves a pre-radicalisation period of an individual’s world, lifestyle, religion, social status, education prior to the start of their expedition down to the conduit of radicalisation that later leads to a phase of violent radicalisation so as to becoming involved with a terrorist group. In order to de-radicalise the entity, the detainee has to experience a disengagement process to bring about changes in behaviour followed by an absolute de-radicalisation in order to be de-programmed completely.
Currently, Pakistan hosts six known de-radicalisation programmes: the Sabaoon Centre for Rehabilitation, and Mishal, Sparley, Rastoon, Pythom and Heila respectively. The Sabaoon Centre for Rehabilitation is the only civilian-run programme in close coordination with the Pakistan Army operating in Swat, KP. They focus on underage militants, juveniles generally, and their goal is to rehabilitate and de-programme the children through basic psychosocial therapies. Apart from the intellectual, art, sports, vocational and academic training, psychological services are a fundamental component of their rehabilitation process. A large number of the boys at Sabaoon suffer from psychological crisis mainly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), low self-esteem, sleep disturbances and anger issues which are further accompanied by various neurological problems mostly seizures. Counsellors and therapists are available to provide assistance to those in need in order to achieve an exceptional outcome.
To de-radicalise and counter radicalisation in Pakistan, a resource intensive effort is required. An effective and capable team is necessary to create a national de-radicalisation policy which should be carefully executed as a whole. The state alone cannot implement the disengagement and de-radicalisation strategies but needs the intelligentsia of the country to home-grow the policy, owned by effected societies and organisations; especially keeping in mind the socio-cultural sensitivities of the country.
