Swiss president to meet Rohingyas tomorrow

Swiss President Alain Berset, now in Dhaka on a four-day official tour, will visit Cox's Bazar tomorrow to see Rohingya situation on the ground as Switzerland provides humanitarian aid for them.

President Berset will leave Dhaka for Cox's Bazar at 9am by a Swiss Federal Council Jet and is expected to reach there at 9:40am, an official told UNB.

He will visit the Kutupalong camp in Cox's Bazar from 11:30am to 1:50pm on Tuesday and listen to the stories of horrific tortures faced by Rohingya people in Myanmar.

The Swiss President will also talk to local press at Kutupalong camp, said the official.

He will leave for Dhaka at 3:15pm and meet civil society representatives in the capital.

The Swiss Embassy in Dhaka said the visit is focused on solidarity with a country that is severely affected by the crisis in neighbouring Myanmar and the establishment of closer bilateral relations.

Given the extent of humanitarian crisis (Rohingya), Switzerland earlier decided to increase its financial contribution to CHF 8 million.

Switzerland also called upon the government of Myanmar to fully respect its obligations under international law, particularly to prevent all the human rights violations and abuses, and ensure that the perpetrators of such violations are brought to justice, thus creating the conditions essential for the refugees' return.

Swiss president pays respect to martyrs, Bangabandhu

Visiting Swiss President Alain Berset today visited Savar National Mausoleum and paid homage to Liberation War martyrs.

Swiss President Alain visits Bangabandhu Museum at Dhanmondi in Dhaka on February 5, 2018. Photo: PID

He signed visitors' book there after placing floral wreaths.

Later, the Swiss President visited Bangabandhu Museum at Dhanmondi and paid respect to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

He placed wreaths on the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and visited various corners of the Museum.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam and Bangabandhu's grandson and Sheikh Rehana's son Rezwan Siddique Bobby accompanied him at the Museum.

Swiss Ambassador in Dhaka Rene Holenstein, among others, was present. Later, the Swiss President signed visitors' book there.

President of the Swiss Confederation also attended a high level Bangladesh-Switzerland Business Forum, along with Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali and Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal.

Berset arrived here yesterday on a four-day official visit, the first official visit by any Swiss President to Bangladesh.