The US State Department announced on Saturday that it has elevated Bangladesh's travel advisory to level three, urging individuals to reconsider traveling to the Asian nation due to 'civil unrest' as described by Washington, amidst ongoing protests.
Significant protests have erupted in Bangladesh due to student dissatisfaction with quotas that reserve 30% of government jobs for families of those who fought for independence from Pakistan. Police have used tear gas to disperse protesters in certain areas, while the government has prohibited public assemblies, enforced communication restrictions, deployed the army in some regions, and imposed a curfew. Numerous individuals have been killed over the past week.
The US State Department stated in a Saturday release, 'Travelers should reconsider visiting due to civil unrest in Dhaka. Ongoing demonstrations and violent clashes have been reported across the city of Dhaka, its surrounding areas, and throughout Bangladesh.' They also noted that 'due to the security situation, there may be delays in providing routine consular services.' Additionally, the State Department mentioned that U.S. Embassy personnel in Bangladesh are under certain movement and travel restrictions, which could hinder their ability to offer emergency services to U.S. citizens in the country.
The United States and Canada have urged Bangladesh to protect the right to peaceful protest and have expressed concerns over the violence that has transpired in the country recently. The protests stem from public sector job quotas, including a 30% reservation for family members of fighters from the 1971 War of Independence from Pakistan. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced that the government would establish a judicial committee to investigate the killings. The quotas have ignited anger among students who are contending with high youth unemployment rates, with nearly 32 million young Bangladeshis not engaged in work or education out of a total population of 170 million.
