The Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications for a program to support and enhance the ongoing Bangladeshi project to promote the rehabilitation and reintegration of terrorist offenders being implemented by the Dhaka Metropolitan Polices Counterterrorism and Transnational Crime unit (DMP/CTTC) and the non-government organization Centre for Alternatives (CFA). The ongoing DMP/CTTC
program utilizes a full-scope array of counseling services, including religious, legal,
educational, and cultural, to help former terrorist offenders identify better life choices
as they return to society. The program also works with members of receiving
communities and families to improve outcomes. DMP/CTTC and the Centre for
Alternatives have expressed openness to additional capacity-building and research to
enhance these processes and add additional elements to their program. This program
should provide expert technical training to the DMP/CTTC and CFA implementers,
coordinating with other international partners including the Japan-based Sasakawa
Foundation. It should also promote collaboration with other Bangladesh law
enforcement elements, non-government entities, regional partners, and other
stakeholders in the disengagement and reintegration of paroled, imprisoned, or charged
terrorist offenders. The program may also support DMP/CTTC, CFA, or other
stakeholder efforts for preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE). Program
awardee will also ensure that no U.S. Government support is provided to paroled,
imprisoned, or charged terrorist offenders.
The program should be responsive to DMP/CTTC interest in additional international
partner support and collaboration. While terrorist incidents in Bangladesh have sharply
declined in recent years, Bangladesh law enforcement continues to arrest dozens of
individuals annually charged with planning or recruiting for terrorist causes. This
program aspires to assist Bangladeshi efforts to prevent those arrested individuals from
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persisting in terrorist-related activities while incarcerated or following their release, to
prevent the further spread of violent extremism.