THE upcoming anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks was onthe minds of many at last month's International Counter-TerrorismConference in Los Angeles where national security experts gatheredto compare strategies.
Since 9-11, we have learned that terrorists can strike anywhere,anytime, and without warning. To meet this asymmetrical threat, wehave studied terrorist organizations and their tactics, anddeveloped strategies for combating them. The counter-terrorismconference reflected this work, addressing topics such asrecruitment and radicalization, counter-insurgency strategies andthe emerging threats to the Internet, collectively known as "e-terrorism."
One workshop at the conference was of special interest to me:"Civil Liberties in Post 9-11 America." This workshop was a powerfulreminder that, even as we affirm our resolve to use all our tools tostop violent extremists who plot against us - as demonstrated by theNavy SEAL raid in Pakistan that led to the death of 0sama bin Laden -we must also acknowledge the vital importance that civil libertiesplay in our society.
As United States attorney for the Central District of California,I am tasked with both combating terrorism and protecting civilrights - responsibilities I view as complementary, not conflicting.
From San Luis Obispo in the north to San Clemente in the south, Isee the daily efforts in our district to combat those who wouldsupport and engage in terrorist activities, much of it by our localJoint Terrorism Task Force, on which prosecutors from my officeserve. Their work is aimed at disrupting and dismantling globalterror networks and the violent extremists who support them.
At the same time, my office pursues criminal and civil casesagainst those who would violate others' civil liberties. To broadenthis effort, I created a Community Outreach Team within my office toreach out to those communities within the district most impacted bythreats to their civil rights, including the Muslim, Arab and Sikhcommunities, and to listen and learn from them.
When we meet with the Muslim, Arab and Sikh communities in ourdistrict, we send the message that the Justice Department's fightagainst terrorism has not dimmed our commitment to protect civilliberties. In this regard, President Barack Obama's reminder thatAmerica is not at war with Islam and that Osama bin Laden was a massmurderer of innocent Muslims, spoke volumes.
Meeting with, listening to and learning from our Muslim, Arab andSikh communities on this and other public safety issues, is vital.There are several reasons for this.
First, our law enforcement efforts must be designed around thespecific needs and threats confronted by our local Muslim, Arab andSikh communities, including allegations of hate crime, racialprofiling and bullying. We can only understand those needs and thosethreats when we engage and share information with each other. WhileI was inspector general for the Los Angeles Police Department, Ilearned that we are only as good as the information we receive.
Second, even the best-crafted enforcement efforts cannot alonesolve the problems of terrorism and violent extremism. Terroristorganizations target for recruitment and radicalization thealienated and angry in whom violent extremism can take root andthrive. To genuinely succeed in combating terrorism, we must workwith the communities we serve and gain their trust. In order to gainthe trust of Muslim, Arab and Sikh communities, the leaders andmembers of those communities must see law enforcement as part of thesolution, not part of the problem.
Finally, trust is the foundation for all effective partnerships.We can only forge meaningful partnerships when those of us with theresponsibility for public safety demonstrate, in word and deed, thatwe understand the issues that matter to our Muslim-, Arab- and Sikh-American communities. Those issues include more than nationalsecurity matters, but also civil rights, access to fair housing,education and health care, and other matters not traditionallyassociated with law enforcement. This process begins with education -for both law enforcement and the public.
As lecturers at the conference observed, threats to our safetycan come from halfway around the world or halfway down the block.The work of counter-terrorism practitioners like those who gatheredin Los Angeles is more vital than ever. Equally vital is thecontinued protection of our civil liberties and the work we do withlocal communities to form trusting partnerships.
By rededicating ourselves to these aims, we put ourselves in thebest position to combat the challenges that face us.
No comments:
Post a Comment