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US warns its citizens over traveling to Bangladesh
Prothom Alo English DeskPublished: 13 Oct 2023, 13: 16
US State Department. File Photo
The United States has issued a comprehensive travel advisory for those planning to visit Bangladesh, due to 'risks of crime, terrorism, and the upcoming general election' here.
The US particularly asked its citizens to reconsider traveling Chattogram hill tracts due to 'occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping and other security risks.'
The US state department released the travel advisory on its website on Thursday.
Petty crimes and safety concerns
The US travelers have been cautioned about the prevalence of petty crimes, including pickpocketing in crowded areas. The advisory noted that major cities in Bangladesh have reported crimes such as muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking.However, there is no indication that foreigners are being specifically targeted due to their nationality. These crimes tend to be situational, dependent on time and location.
Terrorist threats
The advisory also highlighted the possibility of terrorist attacks with little or no warning. The attacks may target public areas such as tourist destinations, transportation hubs, markets, shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities.Concerns over upcoming general election
With the next general election in Bangladesh likely to take place before January 2024, political party rallies and other election-related activities have already begun. As the election date approaches, political rallies and demonstrations may be held with increasing frequency or intensity.Hence, the US travelers have been urged to exercise vigilance and remember that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.
Security concerns for US govt employees
Because of security concerns, the US government employees in Bangladesh are subject to some movement and travel restrictions. The US government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Bangladesh due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited host government emergency response resources.Instructions
For its citizens in Bangladesh, the US suggested avoiding demonstrations and political gatherings, not physically resisting robbery attempts but rather seeking a safe area and reporting incidents to local authorities, enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Programme (STEP) of the US to receive alerts and aid in an emergency, following the state department on social media for updates, reviewing the Country Security Report for Bangladesh, checking the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information, and preparing a contingency plan for emergency situations and reviewing the Traveler's Checklist.
US warns its citizens over traveling to Bangladesh
The US particularly asked its citizens to reconsider traveling Chattogram hill tracts due to occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping and other security risks
en.prothomalo.com
Exercise increased caution: US issues Level-2 travel advisory for Bangladesh, Level-3 for CHT areas
BANGLADESH
TBS Report13 October, 2023, 09:45 pm
Last modified: 13 October, 2023, 10:13 pm
The advisory alert was reissued after periodic review with updates to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and a short-term event, the US Department of State said on Thursday.
The United States has issued a 'Level 2' travel advisory for Bangladesh, urging its citizens to 'exercise increased caution due to crime, terrorism and the upcoming general election' while travelling to the country.
However, for the Chittagong Hill Tracts areas, the Western superpower issued a Level-3 alert, urging its citizens to reconsider travel to the region "due to occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks," the US Department of State said on Thursday (12 October).
The advisory alert was reissued after periodic review with updates to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and a short-term event, it stated.
Regarding travel to CHT areas, the US urged its citizens to reconsider travel to the Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban.
"Kidnappings have occurred in the region, including those motivated by domestic or familial disputes, and those targeting religious minorities. Separatist organisations and political violence also pose additional threats to visitors to the region, and there have been recent instances of IED explosions and active shootings. Prior approval from the Government of Bangladesh's Ministry of Home Affairs Office of Public Safety is required if you plan to travel to these areas," reads the US travel advisory.
The updated travel advisory also states, "Travelers should be aware of petty crimes such as pickpocketing in crowded areas. Crimes such as muggings, burglaries, assaults, and illegal drug trafficking constitute the majority of criminal activity in Bangladesh's major cities, but there are no indications foreigners are being targeted because of their nationality. These crimes tend to be situational, based on time and location.
"Terrorist attacks can happen with little or no warning, with terrorists targeting public areas such as tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, restaurants, places of worship, school campuses, and government facilities.
"The next general election is anticipated to occur before January 2024, and political party rallies and other election-related activities have already commenced. Political rallies and demonstrations may be held with increasing frequency or intensity as the general election draws nearer. Travelers to Bangladesh should practice vigilance and remember that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.
"Because of security concerns, US government employees in Bangladesh are subject to some movement and travel restrictions. The US government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in Bangladesh due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited host government emergency response resources."
If any US citizen decides to travel to Bangladesh, the travel advisory urges them to avoid demonstrations and political gatherings.
Exercise increased caution: US issues Level-2 travel advisory for Bangladesh, Level-3 for CHT areas
The advisory alert was reissued after periodic review with updates to crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and a short-term event, the US Department of State said on Thursday.
