Washington: The U.S. State Department announced on Saturday that it has elevated Bangladesh’s travel advisory to Level 3, advising travelers to reconsider their plans due to escalating “civil unrest” amid persistent protests.
Why This Matters
Bangladesh is experiencing significant unrest, primarily driven by student dissatisfaction over job quotas that allocate 30% of government positions to the families of individuals who fought for independence from Pakistan. The unrest has led to violent clashes, with police deploying tear gas and the government imposing curfews, communication restrictions, and army deployments in affected areas. Over the past week, the violence has resulted in numerous fatalities.
Key Quotes
“Travelers should reconsider travel due to civil unrest in Dhaka. Ongoing demonstrations and violent clashes have been reported throughout the city of Dhaka, its neighboring areas, and throughout Bangladesh,” the U.S. State Department stated on Saturday. “Due to the security situation, there may be a delay in the provision of routine consular services,” it added. The department also noted that U.S. Embassy personnel in Bangladesh are facing movement and travel restrictions, which could affect their ability to deliver emergency services to U.S. citizens.
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Reaction
Both the United States and Canada have urged Bangladesh to respect the right to peaceful protest and have expressed concern over the recent violence.
Context
The protests center on job quotas in the public sector, including a 30% reservation for the families of the 1971 War of Independence fighters. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has announced plans to form a judicial committee to investigate the recent violence. The quotas have sparked discontent among students facing high youth unemployment rates, with approximately 32 million young Bangladeshis unemployed or out of education in a country of 170 million.
