- Travel Advice
DFAT advice for Bangladesh
When travelling to Bangladesh, you should always get travel insurance in case the worst happens. To help you ensure you travel safely, we have included the travel advice from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for Bangladesh.
| Bangladesh overall | This Advice is current for Saturday, 06 December 2008. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
| Chittagong Hill Tracts region | ||||
| Be alert to own security | Exercise caution | High degree of caution | Reconsider your need to travel | Do not travel |
This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information under Summary and Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (General Elections). The level of the advice has not changed.
Summary
- We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Bangladesh at this time due to the unpredictable security and political situation. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media and local information sources for news about possible safety or security risks.
- A state of emergency declared by the President in January 2007 remains in force in Bangladesh. A number of its provisions relating to political activity have been or are expected to be relaxed in the leadup to general elections scheduled for 18 December. The military has been recalled to barracks making for a more uncertain security situation. As the election approaches and campaigning intensifies, the likelihood of violence may increase.
- Demonstrations, street rallies and public gatherings, including localised industrial disputes, can occur almost anywhere with little notice and develop into violent confrontations and civil disorder. You should avoid demonstrations and political rallies as they may turn violent.
- Terrorists conducted a series of attacks against domestic targets in Bangladesh in 2005. Further attacks are possible. The risk of terrorist attack against Western interests and kidnapping of Westerners remains high.
- We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts region because of the high risk of kidnapping and politically motivated violence.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has confirmed a human case of avian influenza in Bangladesh.
- Be a smart traveller. Before heading overseas:
- organise comprehensive travel insurance and check what circumstances and activities are not covered by your policy
- register your travel and contact details, so we can contact you in an emergency
- subscribe to this travel advice to receive free email updates each time it's reissued.
