Int'l community must work for peaceful Rohingya return: Swiss envoy

Switzerland Ambassador Rene Holenstein has said the international community must work closely with Bangladesh and Myanmar so that the issues of safety and protection of the Rohingyas and the work toward a voluntary and peaceful repatriation in safety and dignity are addressed in an effective and comprehensive manner.

"In this regard, Switzerland calls for the immediate implementation of the recommendations stipulated in the final report of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State chaired by Kofi Annan," he told UNB in an interview at his office.

Terming the Rohingya refugee crisis as essentially a "political crisis", the envoy said Switzerland encourages national, regional and international efforts towards a political solution to this crisis.

"Switzerland stands ready to offer its good services," said Ambassador Holenstein.

The Ambassador said the joint visit of the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, who were accompanied by other senior UN officials, is a clear sign that the international community is concerned about this crisis and stands ready to support both Bangladesh and Myanmar to resolve this crisis.

The Swiss President Alain Berset during his Bangladesh visit in February went to the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox's Bazar.

"In fact, one of the main objectives of this Presidential visit was to express solidarity with Bangladesh which is severely affected by this humanitarian crisis," he said.

Since September 2017, a number of other senior Swiss officials have visited the refugee camps.

"I am particularly worried about the cyclone and monsoon season, which requires a high degree of preparedness to ensure safety of the Rohingya refugees living in these settlements," said the

Swiss Ambassador personally visited the Rohingya settlements in Cox's Bazar many times. The influx of new Rohingya arrivals, he said have put enormous pressure on Bangladesh in general, and on the host community as well.

"The needs in the camps are still very high," said the envoy.

"It is important to execute well-coordinated and adequate responses by the Government of Bangladesh, the UN and the international community addressing the Rohingya refugees as well as the host community who are severely affected by this crisis," the Ambassador while responding to a question.

Switzerland commended the Government and the people of Bangladesh for the assistance and protection offered on humanitarian grounds to the Rohingya refugees despite various socio-economic and political predicaments.

Switzerland commended also the United Nations and all humanitarian agencies for their swift and professional response to the refugee crisis.

"The work of Bangladesh, the UN Agencies and the national and international NGOs has been essential to alleviate the suffering of the refugee population, support the host communities and uphold human rights standards," Ambassador said.

Ambassador Holenstein commended Bangladesh again for accepting the Rohingya refugees in an exemplary way and providing them with shelter and assistance despite various challenges and limitations.

"I understand that the congestion in the Rohingya refugee camps poses a major problem for both refugees and host communities as these are very densely populated," he said.

Holenstein mentioned that Switzerland supports the improvement of standards of refugee settlements and the planning of new sites, which are feasible and practicable, ensuring safety and security of the refugees.

Regarding Bhasan Char island, the envoy said, "I think it is not clear to the international community if a relocation to such an environment is safe, feasible and practicable."

In this regard, he highlighted that all efforts towards resolving the Rohingya refugee crisis must be guided by humanitarian principles and respect for obligations under international law, in particular human rights law.

Switzerland was one of the first countries to respond to this latest crisis with humanitarian assistance, including financial and in kind support.

The Swiss Humanitarian Aid channeled 8 million Swiss Francs/ US$ 8 million in 2017 in emergency humanitarian assistance for the Rohingya arrivals, the diplomat said.

The Swiss President during his visit announced that Switzerland will remain engaged in the humanitarian efforts also in 2018 with additional support of 12 million Swiss Francs.

"Swiss humanitarian assistance is contributing to providing food, water, as well as heath and sanitation services to the Rohingya refugees in Cox's Bazar," he said.

The Swiss envoy said their support will benefit also the host communities in the Cox's Bazar area, which have been affected by the Rohingya refugee crisis.

Total Swiss financial humanitarian assistance therefore stands at 20 million Swiss Francs.

In addition to this, Swiss experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit are deployed in Cox's Bazar who are supporting agencies operating as well, he mentioned.

"Switzerland has always stood beside Bangladesh in its humanitarian efforts at times of need, including the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis," said Ambassdor Holenstein.