Switzerland assures cooperation in police reform, recovery of laundered money

Switzerland's Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Renggli met with Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at his office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday, March 25.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on issues including law and order, security, counter-terrorism, parliamentary democracy, police and other sector reforms, financial reforms, money laundering prevention, digital fraud and scams, recovery of laundered money, mutual legal assistance agreements, trade expansion, and other matters of mutual interest.

The home minister said the government's highest priority is improving the law and order situation. "We want to practice genuine parliamentary democracy. All political parties have democratic rights, including organising meetings and rallies. However, this must be done carefully to avoid public suffering."

Criticising the past fascist regime, he said police were used to exert excessive force against political parties during that time, which was highly regrettable.

Ambassador Renggli assured Switzerland's technical and strategic cooperation in enhancing police capacity and police reform. He inquired about the challenges in implementing the current government's reform agenda and emphasised making parliament effective. He noted that peaceful debate and discussion in parliament and the political arena are acceptable for democratic progress.

Regarding the Global Fraud Summit 2026 held in Vienna, Austria, on March 16-17, the minister said scams or digital fraud now account for about 40 per cent of global fraud. This is a global crisis that cannot be fully eliminated without cross-border cooperation. The ambassador also termed digital fraud a concern and emphasised coordinated initiatives in international security and crime control.

Responding to the ambassador's question on terrorism, the minister said while extremism may exist in small measure in Bangladesh, it has never taken the form of terrorism. Police's Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) and DMP's Counter Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit are working with great efficiency to combat terrorism.

On financial sector reforms, the minister said reforms are essential for achieving economic stability. The ambassador agreed, stating that economic stability is a key driver of any country's development.

The minister specifically noted that Switzerland could strengthen its cooperation in recovering money laundered abroad and in overall reform sectors.

Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs' Political-1 Branch Rebecca Khan and Swiss Embassy Counsellor Alberto Giovannetti were present at the meeting.