Several countries including Canada. France, India, Japan and the United States have advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to strife-torn Bangladesh.
France has advised citizens to limit travel to Bangladesh even though calm appears to be gradually returning.
Situation In Bangladesh Is Tense
The situation in Bangladesh is tense following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as Prime Minister.
Bangladesh is undergoing an unprecedented crisis following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.
Hasina who had been Prime Minister for 15 years, resigned and fled the country amid escalating protests over a jobs quota system.
In recent months, the situation went out of hand.
Nearly 300 people died after the government attempted to quell the demonstrations with force.
The Road Ahead
The interim government led by 84 year- old Nobel Peace Laureate Muhammad Yunus, has a herculean task ahead- of restoring normalcy in Bangladesh.
Yunus however does not intend seeking any elected or appointed office beyond his role as chief adviser for the interim period.
Yunus Keen To Rebuild Bangladesh
“I’m looking forward to going back home and see what’s happening and how we can organise ourselves to get out of the trouble that we are in.”
Yunus made this statement to reporters as he arrived at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport for a flight to Dhaka.
He previously said that he will seek cooperation of all the relevant parties in rebuilding Bangladesh.
Travel Advisory By French Foreign Ministry
The French Foreign Ministry, in a travel advisory issued on Wednesday, asked its citizens to avoid travel to Bangladesh.
The Americans And Japanese Took Note Of Civil Unrest In Bangladesh In July
The Americans And Japanese Took Cognizance Of Civil Unrest In Bangladesh as early as July.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Japan raised the danger information level of Bangladesh, on July 21.
Why Is ‘Danger Information’ Issued?
The Japanese MOFA issues ‘Danger Information’ for countries and regions where inhabitants and travellers need to be more cautious.
It also advised its citizens to travel to Bangladesh only if absolutely necessary.
The Japanese government has not changed its assessment of the situation in Bangladesh.
U.S. Department Of State Also Updated Advisory
On August 5, the day Sheikh Hasina resigned as Prime Minister, the U.S. Department of State updated the advisory to reflect Level 4.
The U.S. embassy in Bangladesh advised its citizens not to travel to Bangladesh, due to civil unrest, crime, and terrorism.
U.S. Government Cites Limited Ability To Provide Emergency Service To Its Citizens In Bangladesh
It said that the U.S. government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Bangladesh.
It attributed its constraints to travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited host government emergency response resources.
In addition, the Department ordered the departure of non-emergency U.S. government employees and family members.
U.S. Govt Draws Attention To Violent Clashes In Dhaka
Violent clashes have occurred in the city of Dhaka, its neighboring areas, and throughout Bangladesh, and the Bangladeshi Army is deployed nationwide.
Advice To Travellers
Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport temporarily paused operations on August 5.
The U.S. government advised travellers to check with their airlines to confirm status for future flights.
Travellers should be aware of petty crimes such as pickpocketing in crowded areas.
Be Prepared For Terrorist Attacks
The U.S. government has cautioned its nationals that terrorist attacks can happen with little or no warning.
It said that terrorists target public areas such as tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities.
Because of security concerns U.S. Embassy personnel in Bangladesh are subject to some movement and travel restrictions.
Crimes In Bangladesh
Crimes such as muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking constitute the majority of criminal activity in Bangladesh’s major cities.
It added that there are no indications that foreigners are being targeted because of their nationality.
These crimes tend to be situational, based on time and location.
Canada Also Advised Its Citizens to Avoid Non-Essential Travel To Bangladesh
Canada advised its nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Bangladesh due to violent political demonstrations and clashes, and nationwide general strikes.
It cautioned its nationals that the security situation can deteriorate without warning.
Canada has drawn the attention of is citizens to the threat of terrorism throughout the country, especially in Dhaka.
Canadian Citizens Must Avoid Travelling To the Chittagong Hill Tracts
Avoid all travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts region due to politically motivated violence, kidnappings and sporadic ethnic clashes.
Advisory By Ministry Of External Affairs
The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday advised all its citizens to avoid travelling to Bangladesh amid the ongoing violent protest in the country till further notice.
The Indian government also advised its citizens in Bangladesh to exercise extreme caution.
The MEA advised the Indian citizens to restrict their movements and keep in touch with the High Commission of India in Dhaka.
The MEA released emergency phone numbers: +8801958383679 +8801958383680 +8801937400591
Travel Advisory By US Department Of State, In July
In the third week of July, the US Department of State raised the Travel Advisory Level for Bangladesh to Level 4 — ‘Do Not Travel’.
The United States had recommended that its citizens do not travel to Bangladesh and allowed the voluntary departure of its non-emergency government employees and family members.
