Focusing election, U.S. issues travel cautions in Bangladesh

The United States issued a ‍‍`Level 2‍‍` travel warning for Bangladesh, advising its people to travel with caution.

The State Department warned American nationals to exercise increased caution in Bangladesh in a reissue after a periodic review on crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and recent incidents.

The caution was issued in U.S. state department’s travel related website under Bureau of Consular Affairs dated October 12. Earlier, the travel advisory issued in June for those U.S. citizens willing to visit Bangladesh.

Some areas have increased risk due to crime, terrorism and the upcoming general election, the State Department said.

On the other hand, due to occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks, the U.S. also urged its citizens to reconsider travel to Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) region.

“Travellers 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,” said the State Department.

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, it said.

“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,” said the State Department.

Travelers to Bangladesh should practice vigilance and remember that demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence, it said.

State department furthered, U.S. government employees in Bangladesh are subject to some movement and travel restrictions due to security concerns.

The US government may have limited ability to provide emergency services to its citizens in Bangladesh due to these travel restrictions, a lack of infrastructure, and limited host government emergency response resources, it said.

CHT- Level 3: Reconsider Travel

State department also stated to reconsider travel to the Khagrachari, Rangamati, and Bandarban Hill Tracts districts (collectively known as the Chittagong Hill Tracts) due to occasional communal violence, crime, terrorism, kidnapping, and other security risks.

Kidnappings have occurred in the region, including those motivated by domestic or familial disputes, and those targeting religious minorities, the state department circular added.

Separatist organizations and political violence also pose additional threats to visitors to the region, and there have been recent instances of IED explosions and active shooting. 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, the caution announcement added.

There are four types of travel caution usually the U.S. state department issues.

Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Level 3: Reconsider Travel

Level 4: Do Not Travel

The level 2 caution, which issued for Bangladesh is so far applied against Brazil, France, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, Indonesia, India, Turkey, South Africa and many other countries.

China, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan and a few other countries are considered by U.S. as level 3 countries.

However, Russia, Afghanistan, Sudan, Libya, Ukraine, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Myanmar are suggested to be in level 4 caution.