Switzerland to Support Bangladesh in Police Reform and Asset Recovery

Swiss Ambassador Reto Rengli met with Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed at the Secretariat on Wednesday to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation, specifically focusing on police reform and the recovery of laundered assets.

Faisal Hassan, Deputy Chief Information Officer of the Ministry of Home Affairs, confirmed that the high-level meeting covered a broad range of mutual interests. Key topics included counter-terrorism, parliamentary democracy, financial sector reforms, and combating digital fraud.

During the exchange, Minister Ahmed emphasized that the government’s top priorities are restoring law and order and establishing a genuine parliamentary democracy. He noted that while all political parties have the right to hold rallies, these activities must not disrupt public life.

Reflecting on previous administrations, the Minister expressed regret over the historical misuse of the police force against political opponents, promising a shift toward more professional standards.

Ambassador Rengli pledged Switzerland’s technical and strategic support to modernize the Bangladesh Police. He underscored the necessity of an effective parliament and peaceful political debate as the foundations of democratic progress.

The Ambassador also inquired about the specific challenges the government faces in implementing its current reform agenda.

The Home Minister shared insights from the "Global Fraud Summit 2026" held recently in Vienna. He noted that digital fraud now accounts for roughly 40% of global crime, calling it a crisis that requires international coordination. Ambassador Rengli concurred, stressing the importance of a unified global response.

Addressing concerns about extremism, the Minister stated that while limited extremism exists, it has not escalated into systemic terrorism. He credited the Anti-Terrorism Unit (ATU) and the Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) unit for their ongoing vigilance.

On the economic front, both officials agreed that financial sector reforms are vital for stability. Minister Ahmed specifically requested Switzerland’s assistance in tracking and repatriating laundered money to bolster the national economy.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Swiss Embassy. Following this session, the Minister held a separate meeting with Christian Holz, UNODC Regional Director for South Asia.