A land too dangerous for the Peace Corps.

last updated 8 January 2015

Bangladesh

Editorial

Bangladesh has frightened away the Peace Corps, said the Dhaka Independent in an editorial. The U.S. service agency was “playing a vital developmental role” here, helping to plan education programs in poor rural areas. Last week, though, it sent all 70 of its volunteers home, citing fears that terrorists might target Americans. It is “a hard indictment on this country” that we can’t ensure the safety of foreigners who have come to help us. Foreign Minister Morshed Khan has been complaining that the U.S. seems to be punishing us for our progress in the war on terror, noting that the Peace Corps’ fear of reprisals started when Bangladesh captured two top terrorists. Khan should criticize his own government instead. “While it is true that Sheikh Abdur Rahman, Bangla Bhai, and a few of their sidekicks are in captivity or have been killed, hundreds of their trained cadres are at large.” Worse, certain high government officials who have been found “to have patronized and protected” terrorists are still in office. The Bangladesh government simply lacks credibility in its fight against terror. Until that changes, it’s no wonder foreigners feel insecure.