Some extremists are unresponsive to counseling because they are mentally ill, have had traumatic upbringing, or suffered extreme forms of brainwashing while active members of terrorist groups, say experts.
For these mostly young people, intense intervention is required, including the appointment of many more psychologists, a local publication quoted them as saying recently.
Majed Al-Hathli, a psychologist, said that while many extremists captured have benefited from counseling programs, there were some who continue to hold extremist views, which they often successfully hide during treatment. Others suffer from various forms of mental illness, he said.
He said psychologists working with these people must change the basis of their beliefs with information about the moderate path of Islam. In addition, more specialists in mental illness were needed for these counseling programs.
Security expert Brig. Gen. Talal bin Mohammad Male’kah said counseling programs have proven effective and there were only a few people who have gone back to their old ways once released. These were young people who had been brainwashed extensively over many years.
These extremists were usually quite deceptive during treatment. “Sometimes they will remain inactive for two years because they know they are being watched, and begin communicating carefully with their organizations.” He said some who work alone tend to be more bloodthirsty and aggressive.
Mishal Al-Jaeed, a social expert, said those who show little response to counseling often come from families where there had been a lack of supervision, abuse, financial neglect, and poor communication with their parents. These were the ones most vulnerable to recruitment, he was quoted as saying.
Arab News reported earlier this year that the Mohammad bin Naif Counseling and Care Center has attracted global interest for its experience in rehabilitating terrorists.
International delegations from 35 countries have visited the center to learn from its experiences in counseling those who have been involved in terrorist crimes. Nineteen political delegations and 12 delegations from law enforcement agencies have come from North America, Asia, and several Arab and African countries.
There have been over 3,000 people who have benefited from the work of the center over the past nine years. This includes 121 people who returned from the Guantanamo prison in Cuba.
arabnews.com