LETTER: Suicide bombers are made, not born

Following the latest terrorist atrocities in Brussels, one of the questions once again being asked is what kind of people could be so cold-hearted and destructive, and be willing to give up their own lives in the process?

It’s important to recognise that terrorism is created; it’s not human nature. Suicide bombers are made – they are not born. Ultimately, terrorism is the product of madmen bent on destruction, and these madmen are typically the result of psychiatric or psychological techniques aimed at mind and behavioural control.

Suicide bombers are not rational – they are weak and pliant individuals psychologically indoctrinated to murder innocent people without compassion, with no concern for the value of their own lives. They are manufactured assassins.

Part of the process involves the use of mind-altering psychiatric drugs. It has been reported that psychiatric drugs were used to brainwash young men in Iraq to create suicide bombers. The Japanese kamikaze pilots who launched suicide attacks against allied shipping during World War II used amphetamines to override their natural impulse to survive. Amphetamine side effects include psychosis, euphoria and combativeness. What of the latest terrorist atrocities?

Terrorists are also created by psychological methods that destroy individualism, moral judgment and personal responsibility. This gives an understanding of why a person would do something so destructive. Publicly exposing this destructive source behind terrorism provides insight and solutions to an otherwise incomprehensible and devastating phenomenon.

Brian Daniels

Citizens Commission on  Human Rights (UK) 